Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi has joined Crystal Palace on loan for the rest of the season in a late deadline day deal.
The Belgium international has been on loan at Spanish club Valencia this season, where he has scored one goal, but has been allowed to cut that spell short to return to the Premier League.
Batshuayi had linked with loan moves to Tottenham, as short-term cover for injured Harry Kane, Everton, West Ham and Real Betis at different stages of the day, but ultimately joined Crystal Palace to return to London.
The deal was done over an hour after the deadline, but the Eagles managed to submit a deal sheet before 11pm, giving them an extra two hours to get all the paperwork done.
“This is a fantastic signing for Crystal Palace,” said club chairman Steve Parish.
“Michy is a player we’ve long admired, and I’m delighted that we’ve finally managed to get him in a red and blue shirt. He will be a magnificent addition to our squad.”
Batshuayi has scored seven goals in 32 Premier League appearances for Chelsea – that’s almost £1million per goal having joined the Blues from Marseille for £33.2m in 2016.
He spent the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund, where he was linked with a permanent move after scoring nine times in 14 games, but a deal never materialised.
He has the chance to resurrect his Premier League career with 15th place Palace, who have been begging for a regular goalscorer this season as they look to distance themselves from a relegation battle.