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Gossip: Batshuayi 'holds key' to Chelsea's Pulisic move, Man Utd 'get De Vrij boost' and more

Transfer key? Michy Batshuayi could give Chelsea the edge in the chase for Christian Pulisic, according to reports
Transfer key? Michy Batshuayi could give Chelsea the edge in the chase for Christian Pulisic, according to reports

Strange things are happening at Chelsea. First they play Barcelona off the park in the Champions League, and now – stranger still – Michy Batshuayi might actually turn out to be useful for them.

That’s because the £33m Stamford Bridge flop (three Premier League starts in 18 months), who has recently been carted off to Borussia Dortmund on loan, may now “hold the key” to the Blues’ efforts to sign Dortmund winger Christian Pulisic.

Or so claims the Daily Mail, which reports that Chelsea are locked in battle with Bundesliga bullies Bayern Munich to land the 19-year-old American, with both clubs apparently willing to pay £88m for him.

READ MORE: Conte wants to see out Chelsea contract

READ MORE: How even a depleted Barcelona are still ruthlessly efficient

Traditionally, anyone who is good in the Bundesliga ends up at Bayern because it is enshrined in German law.

But the Batshuayi factor could change all that because the Belgian striker (five goals in his first three Dortmund starts) has so greatly enamoured himself to his new side that they could be prepared to swap him for Pulisic.

Who knows what will happen next at Stamford Bridge in these new exciting times? Maybe they will beat Barca in the Nou Camp, or give Baba Rahman a second chance.


De Vrij wants Man Utd move

There is good news and bad news for Jose Mourinho in the transfer market today.

On the plus side, his Manchester United side have been given a lovely confidence boost by the news that Lazio defender Stefan de Vrij, who is out of contract in the summer, would prefer to join them over Liverpool and Arsenal (Mirror).

The Red Devils could also be closing in on the signing of Napoli’s defensive midfielder Jorginho, who the Sun says may “be sacrificed” by the Italian side at the end of the season. By which they mean sold, as opposed to slain in cold blood for the benefit of the gods (I think).

But things get sadder for Mourinho in the Mail, which reports that Barcelona have beaten United to the £35m signing of Gremio starlet Arthur. Which is a shame because the Special One always wanted a player called Arthur.

READ MORE: Heynckes hails Muller – ’He can score out of nothing’

READ MORE: Chelsea star Willian hails Barcelona – ‘They are great without Neymar’

Meanwhile, Watford midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure has begun the long journey towards sealing a lucrative move to a bigger club, saying he is “happy” at Vicarage Road but – if pushed – would quite like to play for Arsenal (Mirror).

And lo and behold, the Gunners are one of the clubs that would reportedly like to sign Doucoure, although the Express says Tottenham and Liverpool are also interested.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are lining up a bid for Lyon starlet Mohamed Bahlouli, described as “the next Philippe Coutinho” (Mirror), Marco Silva will be favourite to take over at West Brom if the Baggies sack Alan Pardew (Birmingham Mail) and David Moyes will be given a two-year contract if he keeps West Ham up and has already started planning his recruitment for next season (Express). First up, he’s going to wait for Marouane Fellaini to sign a new Man Utd contact and then buy him for £27m.

@darlingkevin