Michy Batshuayi will be on his way out of Chelsea if Edin Dzeko arrives from Roma.
The Blues are thought to be close to landing the former Manchester City striker.
And that will only make matters worse for 24-year-old Batshuayi who simply can’t nail down a first-team spot at Stamford Bridge.
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Manager Antonio Conte confirmed that the Belgian international can go out on loan “If another striker arrives”.
Conte added: ““I think he wants to have the opportunity to play with regularity. I think this is right.
“One player goes out, one player comes in. One player comes in, one player goes out.
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“It’s part of our job [to move players on]. I think we have to try in every moment to be honest with our players.
“But a lot of times it’s the player saying he prefers to go away to have the possibility to play regularly.
“Then you have to show you deserve to play every game.”
Batshuayi has been linked with a loan switch to Sevilla and and Borussia Dortmund.
He needs regular football ahead of the World Cup and Conte has never shown faith in him despite a return of 17 senior goals since leaving Marseille for £33.2million in 2016.
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The proof is in the figures, though – Batshuayi has made 51 appearances for Chelsea.
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And for 34 of them he has been on the bench.
Dzeko, 31, is keen to join Chelsea after seeking assurances from Conte that he will get first-team consideration.
Misfiring record signing Alvaro Morato will find himself under increasing pressure if the Bosnian star rejoins the Premier League.