Chelsea Transfer News: Borussia Dortmund Want Permanent Deal for Michy Batshuayi

Borussia Dortmund want to sign Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi on a permanent basis following his successful loan spell in the Bundesliga, according to chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke.

The Dortmund official admitted the interest in acquiring Batshuayi beyond this season to Sport Bild (h/t ESPN.com's Stefan Buczko, via Football.London's Tashan Deniran-Alleyne):

"The interest to sign him does generally exist. Chelsea already have two centre-forwards in [Alvaro] Morata and [Olivier] Giroud. First, we have to wait who will be coaching Chelsea next season. Then we'll see what is possible."

Watzke's reference to who exactly will be in charge at Stamford Bridge beyond this season is about the uncertain future of manager Antonio Conte. The Italian is expected to be replaced in the summer, with Napoli's Maurizio Sarri reportedly lined up as a potential successor, per MailOnline's Joe Strange.

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Conte no longer being around would have huge possible implications for Batshuayi's future in Germany. While Conte has often overlooked former Marseille striker Batshuayi, a new manager may feel differently about the Belgium international.

The player himself would likely welcome extending his stay in Dortmund after impressing early on during his loan spell. Batshuayi scored nine times in Bundesliga and UEFA Europa League action before injury struck.

He returned to Chelsea recently to begin his recovery from ankle ligament damage, per Kieran Gill of MailOnline. Immediately following the injury, Batshuayi took to Twitter to thank both Dortmund and the club's fans for their faith and support:

Batshuayi has done enough to convince Dortmund of his worth, but it's tough to gauge whether Chelsea are still keen on the attacker who cost £33 million back in 2016.

While he's floundered under Conte, Batshuayi could still have a future with the Blues, according to Simon Johnson of the London Evening Standard.

Johnson noted how the loan switch was originally intended so Batshuayi would "develop and regain confidence in view of becoming a more regular member of the squad next term."

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If Chelsea were to sell, the west London club would want as much as £50 million, per Johnson. Dortmund may be able and willing to pay as much after selling striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to Arsenal for £56 million during the January transfer window.

Yet Chelsea may be best-served keeping Batshuayi, who is still only 24 and has proved he has a keen eye for goal when given chances. Although Conte has paired target men Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata together, the latter has struggled for much of his debut season in the Premier League.

Conte commented on the Spaniard's latest notable miss after Chelsea beat Burnley 2-1 at Turf Moor on Thursday, per Eurosport UK's Dan Levene:

While Batshuayi has endured his own issues in front of goal, he offers more pace than either Morata or Giroud. Morata's ongoing issues mean the Blues would be wise to hold off on saying goodbye to Batshuayi just yet, unless Dortmund make an offer too good to resist.