Michy Batshuayi to join Sevilla only if Chelsea find replacement first, with Andy Carroll and Alexis Sanchez options

Antonio Conte is desperate to relieve the pressure on Alvaro Morata

Miguel Delaney
Chief Football Writer
Tuesday 16 January 2018 12:51 GMT
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Premier League transfer round-up: Latest deals from the January window

Sevilla want to sign Chelsea's Michy Batshuayi either on loan or on a permanent basis, although no deal will be sanctioned until Antonio Conte has an alternative attacking option.

The Belgian striker has struggled at Stamford Bridge despite scoring the goal at West Bromwich Albion that clinched last season's title, and has never fully adapted to Conte's methods.

As such, the Italian has been reluctant to use him from the start in games, and this has created more of a problem for Chelsea given Alvaro Morata's current struggles in front of goal.

That goal against West Brom and recent strikes against Atletico Madrid and Watford illustrate Batshuayi has been a valuable sub, though, so Conte doesn't want to let him leave until there is another option.

Chelsea have been looking at West Ham's Andy Carroll, and even made initial enquiries about Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.

Conte spoke highly of Sanchez last week when speaking about a potential deal for the Chile international.

He said: “He's a great player and he knows very well that in my first season in Juventus we tried to buy him from Udinese and then he decided to go to Udinese. I have great admiration for great players, I think Alexis Sanchez is one of these players.”

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