Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi rejected a move to Tottenham as part of a complex transfer merry-go-round involving Arsenal’s bid for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.
BBC Sport journalist David Ornstein, and Mohamed Bouhafsi from French radio station RMC, both said the Belgian turned down a proposed loan switch to Spurs.
The two clubs are said to have discussed a swap deal between Batshuayi and Fernando Llorente on Tuesday, after Chelsea’s move for Arsenal’s Olivier Giroud seemed to have stalled.
That was revived later in the day, with the two clubs reportedly agreeing an £18m fee.
Arsenal’s keenness to sell Giroud to the Blues may be to hasten their own £60m move for Borussia Dortmund’s Aubameyang.
The German club say they will only sanction that sale once they have found a replacement – which could be Batshuayi, particularly if Giroud’s arrival pushes the Belgian further down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
The talks between Chelsea and Spurs over Batshuayi and Llorente reportedly ended when the Blues striker decided he did not want to be a back-up striker.
The Daily Star translated a tweet from RMC reporter Bouhafsi as saying: “#Tottenham has made an offer to @ChelseaFC for a loan of Michy Batshuayi! The refusal of the player who does not wish to join the Spurs! #RMCsport”
Meanwhile, Ornstein tweeted that the two clubs had discussed a proposed move, with Batshuayi rejecting it.
Merry-go-round: Giroud was lined up to replace Aubameyang at Dortmund then got offer from Chelsea & was keen, so Dortmund turned to Batshuayi. But Chelsea baulked at Giroud fee so discussed Batshuayi/Llorente swap with Spurs, which nobody agreed on. Deadlock #AFC #BVB #CFC THFC pic.twitter.com/HA6ymZ6IiN
— David Ornstein (@bbcsport_david) January 29, 2018