Football news - Michy Batshuayi returns as Crystal Palace snap up Chelsea striker on loan

The Belgium striker spent the first half of the season at Valencia, but Palace have seen off competition from West Ham, Tottenham, Everton and Real Betis to secure his signature.

Palace have the option to buy Batshuayi at the end of the season, and the move could prove very shrewd by Chelsea with the Eagles still to face top-four rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester United in the Premier League this season.

It was reported earlier on Thursday that Batshuayi was demanding £160,000 a week to leave Chelsea in a second loan move of the season, but Palace have come to an agreement with the 25-year-old.

Batshuayi joined Chelsea in July 2016 for £33m from Marseille, but he has made just four Premier League starts with the Blues.

He scored seven goals in 27 appearances for Valencia, but he has been allowed to leave the Spanish club to secure a return to the Premier League.

The move is a major coup for Palace, who are set to be without Wilfried Zaha for their next two Premier League matches, both at home, against Fulham and West Ham after the FA charge the forward with improper conduct following his red card against Southampton.