Times journalist delivers Leeds striker transfer update as club make big-money ace 'available'

Leeds United are "considering stepping up interest" for Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi, according to Times journalist Gary Jacob.

He said that Batshuayi has been made available by Clesea with just one year left on his current deal at Stamford Bridge.

On the latest episode of his podcast, Atheltic journalist Phil Hay claimed that Leeds were "definitely interested" in Batshuayi after it was claimed his agent had offered him to Victor Orta.

Now it looks like Leeds could be ready to take the next step for the Belgian international.

Big gamble for Batshuayi

We're sure that Chelsea would love to move Michy Batshuayi on a permanent deal and get a fee for the striker as well as getting his wages off their books.

However, that would be a massive deal for Leeds to fund.

If he was available on a loan, it means that Leeds could effectively try the striker out for a season before striking a deal when Batshuayi is out of contract. That could make his wages more affordable.

Football.London journalist Alan Smith has said that "no sensible club" would sign him on a permanent deal this summer and that the player has no chance of getting back into Frank Lampard's plans.

It sounds like it could be a fairly complex deal to put together and Leeds and Lampard don't always see eye-to-eye.

We'd love to see Batshuayi under Bielsa but it would be a gamble. Do Leeds want to take another gamble on a striker with a big reputation but question marks over his head after the Jean-Kevin Augustin debacle?

The money is seemingly there – it's been reported that Leeds had bid £31.4m for Gent striker Jonathan David. It's just essential that Leeds get it right this time.

In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay thinks major Leeds deal will be done this week after key Thorp Arch development