Michy Batshuayi leaves Chelsea to join Borussia Dortmund on loan after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang joins Arsenal
Batshuayi heads to the Bundesliga as Chelsea announce signing of Arsenal's Olivier Giroud as his replacement on an 18-month deal
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Your support makes all the difference.Borussia Dortmund have completed the signing of striker Michy Batshuayi on a loan deal until the end of the season, with the Blues simultaneously announcing the acquisition of Olivier Giroud from Arsenal on a permanent deal.
Dortmund secured the temporary move after allowing striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang leave for Arsenal earlier in the day in a £56m transfer, while Chelsea were quick to move for Arsenal's unwanted forward Giroud as they look to address their struggle for goals this season.
Speaking after the move was announced, Batshiayi admitted that his place in the Belgium squad - which has been under threat due to his lack of first-team football at Stamford Bridge - was a major reason in deciding to leave the Premier League club for the rest of the season.
"In order to reach my big goal, I want to play as much as I can and score many goals," Batshuayi said. "In summer, I want to play in the World Cup."
Dortmund's sporting director, Michael Zorc, believes that the German outfit have signed a "young and interesting" player whose goal record to date is "extraordinary".
“Michy is a young, very interesting striker, who impresses with an extraordinary high rate at both Chelsea and Marseille, in the Belgian league and the national team,” said Zorc. “His quality has already been proven.”
Dortmund also confirmed that Batshuayi will wear the No 44 shirt, and were quick to highlight the stat that of all Premier League players to score 10 goals or more in 2017, Batshuayi's record was bettered only by Harry Kane.
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