Chelsea set to extend the contract of this forgotten star before loaning him out

Chelsea will extend Michy Batshuayi contract before sending him on loan

According to The Athletic (h/t Football.london), Chelsea will extend the contract for Michy Batshuayi before allowing him to leave on loan. The Belgian is all set to join Besiktas on loan for this season. With his contract ending next summer, Chelsea want to renew that to avoid losing him for free.

During his time at Marseille, Michy Batshuayi was regarded as one of the most promising up and coming strikers. Chelsea took a punt on him and brought him to the club in 2016 in the hopes that he can be an adequate backup to someone like Diego Costa. However, it has been anything but.

A flurry of loan spells to clubs such as Valencia, Borussia Dortmund and Crystal Palace (twice) failed to prove successful. Batshuayi was also handed chances at Chelsea. However, he never looked like he could take his opportunity and cement a place in the side. He returned from Crystal Palace last season after another underwhelming loan.

Besiktas are in talks with Chelsea over a move for the Belgian. Initially, a permanent transfer was on the cards, but a loan deal became the next option with no fee being agreed on for a permanent move. However, with Bashuayi’s contract ending in a year, Chelsea will first extend his deal and then let him out on loan so as to not lose him for free.

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Chelsea are well-stocked when it comes to attackers. Romelu Lukaku, Kai Havertz, Timo Werner are all expected to share the role over the next season and it’s hard to see Batshuayi breaking into that. While a permanent deal would have been a better solution, Chelsea can still decide on his future once he returns from Besiktas next season.