Reports: Chelsea eye €36 million striker as Michy Batshuayi replacement

What’s the story?

Antonio Conte is not happy with Michy Batshuayi and is keen on signing a replacement in January. The Italian has asked the board to bring out the chequebook again and not willing to continue with the just Morata and the Belgian in the squad.

As per reports in the Daily Star, Chelsea are set to reignite their interest in Christian Benteke. The Belgian is yet to score for Crystal Palace this season but Antonio Conte is willing to take the risk of signing him than continuing with Batshuayi.

In case you didn’t know...

Chelsea have just Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi in the squad as strikers. Antonio Conte wanted to start the season with three strikers in the squad and play with a 3-5-2 but the club wasn't able to get the players he needed for it.

The heart of the matter

Chelsea have been chasing Benteke for a long time now and we keen on signing him during his Aston Villa days. They were reluctant to pay the £32 million demanded for him that time and he left for Liverpool.

The Belgian failed at Anfield and was linked with a move to Stamford Bridge again but the Reds were not interested in selling him to their rivals. Crystal Palace signed him for the same amount Liverpool paid for him but he's not yet proved his worth at the club.

What’s next?

Chelsea will be in the market for a striker in January. They have been linked with several forwards, including Jamie Vardy, Richmond Boakye and also Mauro Icardi. Tammy Abraham, who's on loan at Swansea has also been linked with a move back.

Author’s Take

Benteke is not the striker Chelsea need right now and signing him on a permanent deal would not be a good thing to do. Should Palace agree to a loan-swap involving Benteke and Batshuayi, then it might turn out to be a good deal for the time being.