Michy Batshuayi’s future could be resolved this week, with West Ham and Juventus battling it out to sign the Belgium striker from Marseille and Tottenham considering whether to make an offer.
Batshuayi, who is yet to play a single minute for Belgium at Euro 2016 having been named as a substitute for all three group stage matches, has been the subject of increased transfer speculation since Marseille’s caretaker coach Franck Passi admitted last month that the 22-year-old will leave the Stade Vélodrome this summer.
West Ham submitted an official offer worth up to €40m (£31m) for the former Standard Liège striker at the start of May and it is understood that bid – which would include more than €30m up front plus significant add-ons – remains on the table.
However, the Italian champions Juventus have also entered the fray after selling Álvaro Morata back to Real Madrid this week, having been put off a move for Batshuayi’s Belgium team-mate Romelu Lukaku because Everton want more than £40m. They are understood to have offered a deal worth €30m which was rejected by Marseille but are now expected to increase their bid.
The French club, who were put up for sale by owner Margarita Louis-Dreyfus in April, are reported to be under pressure to sell their prized asset before the end of the month to avoid a fine from the DNCG (Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion) which rules on financial matters in France although it is understood that they could decide to wait in order to gain the best price possible.
That could allow time for Tottenham to make a bid as well, with the player believed to favour a move to Mauricio Pochettino’s side if given the choice. The Spurs manager admitted at the end of April that Batshuayi was a potential target this summer, although it remains to be seen whether Tottenham will offer enough.
“We are looking for a striker this summer, that’s clear,” Pochettino said. “Michy’s a young player who has a lot of talent. He is on the list of many clubs. We have quite a few people who have given us information about him. He has good potential. We’ll see. We have other players in our sights too.”
Atlético Madrid have also registered an interest in signing Batshuayi, while Borussia Dortmund could also make a move should Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave the club this summer.
Meanwhile, Juventus are reported to be considering a €27m (£20.6m) bid from Wolfsburg for the Italy striker Simone Zaza, who has also been linked with West Ham, Southampton, Everton and Crystal Palace in the past.
