UPDATE: Deal’s done, just waiting for official confirmations.
Representatives from Chelsea, Crystal Palace + Michy Batshuayi are at Chelsea’s Cobham offices working through the documentation of the 25yo Belgium striker’s move to Selhurst Park on loan until the summer. It does not an include option to buy. Deal now virtually done #CPFC #CFC
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) January 31, 2019
We’re into the final hour of the 2019 January transfer window, and Michy Batshuayi is finally looking like he’s got things figured out for the second half of the season.
And no, it’s got nothing to do with Tottenham Hotspur.
Loan deal with Valencia has been terminated. Michy Batshuayi is back a Chelsea player. But for how long? He’s still waiting at the Valencia offices. #cfc pic.twitter.com/viEghtCpwh
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) January 31, 2019
The 25-year-old has now officially terminated his loan at Valencia, so he will definitely not be spending his days there anymore. That means he could actually end up back with Chelsea (and keep the likes of Drinkwater and Cahill company on the training ground), but it sounds like he’s going to join Crystal Palace instead.
Talks ongoing.
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) January 31, 2019
It’s unclear if it’s a loan or a permanent move at this point. Chelsea had been preferring a permanent arrangement, but so far there have been no takers at 35m (unsurprising, given Michy’s terrible time at Valencia).
As Terreur says, Palace first registered their interest over a month ago, but were not seriously considered as an option until a few hours ago. That sounds like a loan deal in the making, but we’ll have to wait and see.
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) January 31, 2019
We won’t have to wait too long, probably.
Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi has agreed terms with Crystal Palace. Deal not done yet
— Kaveh Solhekol (@SkyKaveh) January 31, 2019
A loan deal of course.
— Kristof Terreur (@HLNinEngeland) January 31, 2019