da fazobetai： The Athletic’s Dominic Fifield has issued an update on what Chelsea’s pursuit of Napoli forward Dries Mertens could mean for Crystal Palace and their hopes of re-signing Michy Batshuayi.
What’s the word, then?
da jogodeouro： Well, the Blues are believed to be in talks with Napoli over a deal to sign Mertens for a cut-price fee, as the Belgium international is out of contract in the summer.
Frank Lampard is said to have become frustrated by a lack of signings this month, especially in attacking areas, although the Napoli striker – who can play anywhere across the front three – would go some way to easing his angst.
If the 32-year-old did become a Chelsea player, then Lampard would have Tammy Abraham, Olivier Giroud and Batshuayi in his striking ranks along with Mertens – as a result, one fan asked Fifield what the Napoli man’s potential arrival at Stamford Bridge could mean for Palace’s chances of being reunited with the 26-year-old.
What did Fifield say?
When asked the question, the Athletic journalist said that he ‘suspects’ there is slightly less chance than there was last year of Palace signing Batshuayi, only because Giroud doesn’t feature in Lampard’s plans.
Fifield continues to say that the Blues won’t want to be left short of centre-forward options going into the second half of the campaign, although he did concede a few encouraging factors.
He said that relations are good between the Eagles, Chelsea and Batshuayi’s representatives, and that the former Marseille striker enjoyed his time on loan at Selhurst Park last season where he netted five Premier League goals in nine starts.
Calling all transfer experts! How much did each of these Deadline Day signings cost?
Fifield added that ‘you can never say never’ before also mentioning that ‘it is not inconceivable’ that a deal is done for a forward at Palace late on in the window – he also interestingly mentioned that things are helped if all parties are familiar with each other when time is of the essence, as the south Londoners, Chelsea and Batshuayi very much are.
In other news, Dominic Fifield has issued a negative update on Crystal Palace’s pursuit of Yannick Carrasco…