West Ham have reportedly been watching Michy Batshuayi over the last few months with a view to signing the Marseille striker in the summer.
In the last few days, however, the striker himself has been quoted in French magazine Journal du Dimanche, saying that he won’t be going anywhere until he proves himself as a consistent performer at Marseille.
The Express claim that Batshuayi, when asked about potentially leaving the club, replied, “I have fallen in love with this club, I can never leave without making a lasting impression.”
Batshuayi is a good friend of Dimitri Payet, and many West Ham fans were hoping that their friendship would play a part in luring the Belgian to The Olympic Stadium for the start of next season. Tottenham have also been reportedly interested in the striker.
Co-Owners David Gold and David Sullivan recently stated that there is money to spend this summer on a marquee signing, with that signing likely to be a striker. The price they were willing to pay was about the right money that Michy Batshuayi would cost the Hammers, so the move made sense. There are many other targets that West Ham are looking at, but Batshuayi, who is second top scorer in Ligue 1 this season, would certainly have fit the bill.
There is a chance that Batshuayi may be showing commitment to his current club to keep the fans happy, before sorting out his future in the summer. Marseille don’t have that many resources, and a £20 million bid from West Ham may force their hand into letting their star striker move.
Whilst this is a blow for West Ham’s hopes of signing the striker, it shouldn’t be ruled out just yet.
