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Valencia looking to end Chelsea-owned Batshuayi's loan spell

Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Valencia are attempting to offload on-loan Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi in the January transfer window, club director Mateu Alemany revealed on Thursday.

"At the moment, we are negotiating with several clubs the departure of Michy Batshuayi," Alemany said, according to The Evening Standard's Alex Young. "The player knows. For the good of the player and the club, we are looking for a solution. We are expecting an exit in the next few hours or days."

Batshuayi joined Valencia in the summer on a season-long loan deal, but it appears he will see out little more than half of that time. Comments from Maurizio Sarri earlier this month appear to suggest he is not welcome at Chelsea, either.

The Blues, of course, are searching for a new leading man, with Alvaro Morata reportedly heading back to Spain. The likes of Gonzalo Higuain and Callum Wilson have been linked with the west Londoners as well.

Batshuayi's time at Marseille and Chelsea as well as loan spells at Borussia Dortmund and now Valencia have seen the Belgian become the first player in the 21st century to score in the French, English, German, and Spanish top divisions.

The 25-year-old was handed a rare start for Los Che in a Copa del Rey tie but was unable to make a case for himself, missing quality chances in a 2-1 defeat to Gijon. After the game, he was on the receiving end of some thinly veiled anger from manager Marcelino, who substituted the striker at halftime.

"I think we have to get in some strikers. I've clearly run out of patience with certain individuals," the coach said, according to The Independent's Ed Malyon. "We could have gone in front in the first minute. It was the best opportunity I have seen us create for six months.

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

Batshuayi has scored just three times for Valencia since his summer move, and only once in the league, a markedly subpar return for a player who reportedly commanded a £3-million loan fee in August.

He's been on Chelsea's books since 2016.

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