Would swapping Michy Batshuayi for Lucas Perez really improve West Ham?
West Ham face a busy deadline day in the January transfer window and could see a change in their attacking line-up, if reports are to be believed regarding both incomings and outgoings.
It comes after BBC Sport reported that Bundesliga side Schalke had made a bid for Lucas Perez, who Sky Sports then claimed was near to returning to Spain with Real Betis.
Sky Sports also reported on the Hammer’s interest in Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi, who would surely be a like for like replacement for the seemingly outbound Perez.
VITORIA GASTEIZ, SPAIN – JANUARY 5: Michy Batshuayi of Valencia CF during the La Liga Santander match between Deportivo Alaves v Valencia at the Estadio de Mendizorroza on January 5, 2019 in Vitoria Gasteiz Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Football.london claim that the former Valencia loanee would not be keen on a move to east London and it would also involve a hefty loan fee, which may not be a stumbling block given that the Irons would be hoping to make a profit on the sale of Perez given that he cost just £4 million from Arsenal in the summer.
Even then, Batshuayi’s poor form in La Liga in the first half of the season will be a concern and his failure to convince at Chelsea, or earn a Premier League loan move, may worry some.
Similarities could easily be drawn to the struggles of Perez, who looks destined to leave the Premier League, at a time when West Ham cannot afford another disappointing signing in attack.
