Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea forward set for European switch after deadline-day transfer collapses due to Blues

Christian Pulisic celebrates with Michy Batshuayi

Michy Batshuayi is on the verge of joining Fenerbahce from Chelsea after his transfer to Nottingham Forest fell through at the last minute.

Forest were hoping to continue their eventful transfer window by capturing Batshuayi. He would have become their 22nd signing of the summer.

However, the move didn’t go through before last night’s 11pm deadline. According to the Nottingham Post, who cite Fabrizio Romano, this is because Chelsea didn’t send the paperwork to Forest in time.

Blues officials were too busy sorting out late deals for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Denis Zakaria.

This left Batshuayi seemingly stranded at Stamford Bridge. He has little chance of getting into Thomas Tuchel’s plans due to Chelsea’s wealth of attacking options.

However, the Belgian does have an opportunity to pick up game time elsewhere.

Fenerbahce have confirmed they hold an agreement to sign Batshuayi from Chelsea. They still have time to complete the move as Turkey’s transfer window doesn’t close until September 8.

A statement from the Super Lig club read: ‘Our club has made an agreement with the club for the transfer of Michy Batshuayi to our team. The football player comes to Istanbul to make the interviews, pass the health check and advance the process.’

Michy Batshuayi could leave Chelsea permanently

Should the 28-year-old striker pass his medical, then he can be announced as a Fenerbahce player.

Fenerbahce don’t reveal if the transfer is permanent or a loan. football.london claim the deal will be permanent, ending Batshuayi’s six-year spell on Chelsea’s books.

His contract at Stamford Bridge runs until June 2023, so Fenerbahce will have to pay a small fee to land him.

Despite Batshuayi being a registered Chelsea player for so long, he has only made 77 appearances for them.

The attacker has had loan spells at Borussia Dortmund, Valencia, Crystal Palace and Besiktas.

Arguably his most successful loan spell came with Besiktas, as he hit 14 goals for them in 42 matches.

Batshuayi is now set to go back to Turkey, but with Besiktas’ rivals Fenerbahce. He will come up against Dele Alli in the Super Lig, following the Englishman’s move to Besiktas.

Meanwhile, Jamie Carragher has given his verdict on former Arsenal skipper Aubameyang joining Chelsea.