Chelsea to sell Batshuayi so Lampard can secure one major signing this summer

Chelsea are planning to make at least one big signing this summer despite the financial problems caused by the coronavirus, reports say.

Frank Lampard was looking forward to a hectic transfer window and was targeting a host of additions, including a left-back, winger and a striker.

The 2019/20 season ground to a halt in early March due to the coronavirus outbreak and clubs have been losing massive sums during the shutdown.

Most of the top flight will have to seriously rethink their transfer plans due to a lack of funds, but the Athletic claim Chelsea will still be able to make one major signing.

Lampard has already secured the signature of Hakim Ziyech from Ajax, but that deal was finalised before the coronavirus crisis.

Chelsea are plotting a second big signing and Lampard is prioritising the addition of a striker.

Tammy Abraham has superbly led Chelsea’s front-line this season, but Lampard wants competition for the 22-year-old Englishman.

Olivier Giroud has extended his deal until 2021 as Chelsea expect to offload Michy Batshuayi in the next transfer window.

Batshuayi has spent most of his Chelsea career out on loan and is an attractive prospect despite struggling for consistency.

The forward spent part of last season on loan at Crystal Palace where he scored six times in 13 appearances for the Eagles, but Batshuayi has made just one start in the Premier League this season.

Chelsea believe Batshuayi will fetch a higher transfer fee than Giroud and want to use the sale to raise funds for Lampard to sign another striker.

Lampard wants a goalscorer who is similar to Giroud, someone who can hold up the ball and bring team-mates into play.

Chelsea have been linked with a host of strikers including Lyon’s Moussa Dembele and Rb Leipzig’s Timo Werner.

While Chelsea’s transfer plans are somewhat up in the air, the club is gearing up for a return to action.

The Blues squad returned to training last week and Premier League clubs are poised to give the green light to full-contact sessions.

Club action is expected to resume in late June, but it remains to be seen if N’Golo Kante will be part of the restart.

Kante opted out of training after one session at Cobham due to his concerns about catching coronavirus.

Lampard is prepared for the possibility Kante will sit out the remainder of the campaign and Chelsea have offered their full support to the midfielder.

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