VALENCIA - La Liga side Valencia have signed Belgium striker Michy Batshuayi on a one-season loan deal from Chelsea, while France defender Kurt Zouma has left Stamford Bridge for a season-long loan with Everton.
Batshuayi joined Chelsea in 2016 from Olympique de Marseille for a reported 33 million pounds ($42 million) and only struck five league goals in his first campaign, although he scored in a 1-0 win at West Bromwich Albion which clinched the 2016/2017 Premier League title.
He struck 10 goals in all competitions in his second season with Chelsea but in January was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund, where he scored seven times in 10 Bundesliga appearances.
Valencia finished fourth in La Liga last season to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in three years, allowing Batshuayi to play in Europe's elite competition while Chelsea will be in the Europa League. Batshuayi made three appearances at the 2018 World Cup. While celebrating Belgium's winning goal against England, he ended up being smacked hard in the face by the ball.
Everton have signed French centre back Zouma after making a late move for the 23-year-old ahead of Thursday's transfer deadline, and had to wait until Friday to learn if their bid was successful.
Zouma has made 71 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea before falling out of favour under former manager Antonio Conte, featuring in only nine league matches during the title winning 2016-17 campaign. He spent last season at Stoke City and made 34 league appearances but could not prevent their relegation from the top-flight.
Zouma joins Brazil midfielder Bernard, Barcelona trio Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes and Lucas Digne, Richarlison and goalkeeper Joao Virginia in arriving at Goodison Park in the close season.
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