Monaco manager Thierry Henry has confirmed his interest in Chelsea forward Michy Batshuayi.
The 25-year-old Belgium international is set to have his loan spell with Valencia cut short after registering just three goals in 23 appearances.
Is Batshuayi a good fit for Monaco? Five key things to know…
- After a promising start to his career, the Belgian has struggled to establish himself with Chelsea in the Premier League.
- The forward has only scored seven times in 32 Premier League appearances for the Blues.
- Batshuayi scored nine in 14 games with Borussia Dortmund but has only netted three times in 23 games for Valencia.
- The striker excelled while playing under Henry with Belgium, scoring seven goals in nine appearances in 2018.
- At £18m, Batshuayi could represent a bargain if he finds his form in Monaco.
Henry has completed two major signings as Monaco manager, having signed Brazilian defender Naldo from FC Schalke and Cesc Fabregas from Chelsea.
The Frenchman, who worked with Batshuayi while he was assistant coach with Belgium, has confirmed that he would be interested in acquiring his services in the second half of Les Monégasques Ligue 1 campaign.
“Michy? I know him, we rubbed shoulders with Belgium, he is a player who can be interesting,” Henry told Sky Sports.
“But again, nothing is done. You have to be patient. It’s important that players know the championship, though.”
Batshuayi has struggled to break into Chelsea’s first team and his loan spell with Valencia is the second time he has been loaned out by the west Londoners in two seasons. He spent part of last season with Borussia Dortmund where he netted an impressive nine goals in 14 games.
The striker does have experience in the French league, having played two seasons there with Marseille, where he scored 33 goals in 78 appearances.
Henry facing competition from Everton?
Monaco aren’t the only club in hot pursuit of the Belgian. Everton have been widely tipped to make a move for Batshuayi as Marco Silva looks to bolster his attacking options at Goodison Park.
However, the Portuguese tactician has played down a move for the forward this month and claimed that there is not a lot of money available for him to spend.
“We are aware of the market, we know what’s happened, but it is not something which is a priority for us,” said the Portuguese.
“Because we spent some money last summer it is not easy spending big, big money in all the markets.
“For us to do something in this moment it would mean another player would leave the club and it is not something in our mind.
“If you do something it because something has happened in our squad.”
The post Henry confirms Monaco interest in Chelsea forward Batshuayi appeared first on Squawka News.
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