Michy Batshuayi, who has been linked with Leeds, has been told he has no future at Chelsea. The Belgium international is one of several strikers in recent Leeds United transfer news.
Marcelo Bielsa was reported to have been pursuing a reunion with Batshuayi. The pair worked together briefly at Marseille and the Belgian striker has been marginalised at Chelsea.
With Timo Werner arriving, he is unlikely to get many, if any, minutes in 2020/21. The Daily Star claims Chelsea have told Batshuayi he has no future at the club and are looking to sell him this summer.
Valued at over £20 million, the former Crystal Palace loanee will not be cheap, but he is clearly an attainable target if Leeds choose to go down that route.
With Rodrigo seemingly on his way to Elland Road, it remains to be seen if Leeds want to add another striker. Batshuayi could be a good option if they feel the need for further depth, however.
He might not be up to Chelsea’s standards, but he has proven himself at Borussia Dortmund and Palace in recent seasons.
Bailey Is Out Of Leeds’ Price Range
It was reported last week at 888sport that Leeds made a bid for Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey. Per The Athletic’s Phil Hay, Leeds will not be chasing Bailey this window.
Hay noted Bielsa’s admiration of the Jamaican international, but claimed the transfer fee would be far too great for Leeds to consider a move.
Speaking on his podcast, Hay said, “That hasn’t been on the cards. That hasn’t been planned. And that, financially, would put a huge dent in the budget and would have been very problematic in terms of getting other players in.”
Hay gave an insight into Bielsa’s role in Leeds’ transfer process, too.
“It goes without saying that Bielsa likes him because that is the starting point of any transfer process at Leeds.
"They’ve long since reached the view that it’s pointless chasing any player he isn’t sure about or any player who doesn’t quite tick all the boxes because the end-game with that tends to be Bielsa looks at it and turns his nose up and says ‘no’.”
There might not be a move for Bailey, but Leeds are still set to make some exciting additions before the window slams shut.
Bielsa Phone Call Convinces Rodrigo
Although Valencia star Rodrigo was initially reluctant to join Leeds, the Spanish international is set to complete a record-breaking move to the club.
According to reports from El Pais, Rodrigo was not convinced of a move to Elland Road, but conversations with Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani helped ease his concerns.
He also spoke to Bielsa on the phone, which made his decision that much easier.
It’s no surprise a player of Rodrigo’s stature was cautious about moving to a new country to join a newly promoted club. This goes to show Leeds are not an ordinary newly promoted side.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Kirsty Wigglesworth / AP Photo*
