Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi has emerged as a surprise target for Ligue 1 outfit Lille, according to The Mirror.
The Belgian has failed to significantly make his mark at Stamford Bridge, despite scoring the goal that wrapped up the Premier League title last season, and could be open to a move following the arrival of Alvaro Morata.
The 23-year-old played second fiddle to Diego Costa last season and will have to make do with a similar role once more if he does decide to stay with the Blues, but with a World Cup year approaching he will be desperate for more game time.
Lille, now under the tutelage of new manager Marcelo Bielsa, have been free spending this summer but a move for Batshuayi would likely treble their record transfer fee, though reports suggest they are indeed willing to part with £36m for the forward’s services.
Following an excellent start to the campaign against Nantes, the French club were thrashed by newly-promoted Strasbourg before another disappointing defeat at the hands of Caen at the weekend.
LOSC have struggled for some time in front of goal, scoring just 79 times over the previous two seasons combined, so their interest in a striker with Batshuayi’s pedigree is understandable.
In his final season with Marseille prior to a move to Chelsea, the Belgium international scored 17 goals and registered 9 assists.
