Michy Batshuayi drawing interest from Valencia — report

One player who featured heavily in transfer rumors during the season, especially the second half of it, but has basically disappeared off the rumor-radar is Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi.

On loan at Borussia Dortmund from Febuary until a season-ending injury suffered in mid-April, Batshuayi quickly became a hot item and looked all but set to make his temporary stay a permanent one. But BVB eventually decided against the move. Michy meanwhile recovered just in time for the World Cup, and while he didn’t play all that much, still managed to grace us with The Best GIF of the Tournament.

As it stands, Michy is set to rejoin Chelsea in the next 7-10 days. With a new system in place that frees the striker from being strictly a target man, he could in fact be in for some good times.

Unless he draws the short straw in what could be a glut of players at the position, with Morata, Giroud, and Tammy Abraham all looking for minutes. And so, welcome back to the rumor mill, Michy.

According to Cadena COPE, Michy on Valencia’s shortlist.

Valencia are looking to strengthen an attacking core currently composed of Simone Zaza (who, incidentally, provided The Best GIF of Euro 2016), Santi Mina and Rodrigo.

They are reportedly close to signing Kevin Gameiro from Atlético Madrid, who spent a good chunk of last season warming Atlético Madrid’s bench before and (especially) after the return of former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, but manager Marcelino likes to play with two strikers. Completing a deal for Gameiro also wouldn’t affect their push for Michy, as they are only interested in bringing him in on loan, since they probably know that Chelsea are often quite charitable like that.

Still, it would be nice to see Batshuayi at least tried for a minute in Sarri’s system.