Michy Batshuayi joins Fenerbahce SK on a permanent deal

Turkish giants Fenerbahce SK have confirmed the signing of Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on a permanent deal with a club statement via their official Twitter account.

The Belgium international came close to joining Nottingham Forest on loan hours before the transfer window slammed shut.

But the move collapsed after Chelsea failed to send the documents to Forest before the window closed, with the club busy closing several deadline deals forcing him to look overseas for a possible escape route from Stamford Bridge.

With the Turkish transfer window still open until September 8, Fenerbahce have swooped in to complete the signing of the striker.

“Our club has made an agreement with the club for the transfer of Michy Batshuayi to our team. The football player comes to Istanbul to make the interviews, pass the health check and advance the process.”

Batshuayi joined Chelsea in a big-money move from Ligue 1 side Olympique Marseille in 2016 but has spent most of his Chelsea career on loan moves away from the club.

He has embarked on five loan spells across Europe, including stints with Borussia Dortmund, Valencia, and two years with Crystal Palace.

The 28-year-old Batshuayi spent last season on loan in Turkey with Besiktas, racking up 14 goals and providing five assists in 33 league games.

He returned to Chelsea this summer, and despite travelling with Thomas Tuchel’s squad for the preseason tour of the US, he is yet to see any competitive action.

He has not made any of Tuchel’s squad, with the German manager preferring Kai Havertz, Raheem Sterling, and Armando Broja as striking options.

The Deadline Day arrival of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also pushed the Belgian further through the exit door.

Batshuayi has only managed 77 appearances for Chelsea, contributing 25 goals and six assists over his six years of association with the club.