Everton among several clubs interested in signing Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi

Michy Batshuayi of Valencia CF during the Spanish Copa del Rey match between Sporting Gijon v Valencia
Michy Batshuayi is back at Chelsea after Valencia cut his loan deal short Credit: GETTY IMAGES

Everton are among several clubs interested in Chelsea’s Michy Batshuayi after the striker ended his loan spell at Valencia.

The La Liga club confirmed Batshuayi’s premature exit, opening the door for a deal in the second half of the season.

Everton said earlier this week they do not anticipate any movement in the January window, but they are open to opportunities as they arise and they will explore the possibility of a deal. Marco Silva’s need for a striker is well documented. The club have been short of quality in that area since Romelu Lukaku’s sale two years ago.

Valencia sporting director Mateu Alemany said there is plenty of interest in the Belgian international.

“Batshuayi's situation is very clear. We are negotiating the player's exit with various other clubs," Alemany said.

“I expect he will leave in the coming hours or days. The player knows he is leaving, we told him some weeks ago. We hope that, for his sake, this can be resolved as soon as possible. He is leaving and it's now a matter of negotiation.”

Earlier this week, Batshuayi was publicly criticised by his notoriously hot-headed manager, Marcelino, for a poor performance in the Copa del Rey defeat to Sporting Gijon.

He was subbed at half-time and his relationship with the coach had become untenable.

“I think we have to get in some strikers. I've clearly run out of patience with certain individuals," Marcelino said of Batshuayi.

“If you can't even get a shot in on target you are not fit to play in the Primera Liga for Valencia.

“I don't make substitutions to send signals to anyone - I make them based on the performances I see. On the effort and the commitment, on everything that I see. I set out to be fair, and I make changes starting from that point.”

License this content