Chelsea could offer Michy Batshuayi to Monaco in effort to sign Thomas Lemar

Chelsea could use striker Michy Batshuayi as a make-weight in a deal to prise Thomas Lemar away from Monaco during the January transfer window.

The Blues have been linked with a move for the £80m-rated Lemar next month as Antonio Conte looks to revitalise his attack ahead of the second half of the campaign.

According to The Daily Telegraph that overhaul could include Batshuayi's departure on loan as the Belgium international continues to be overlooked by the Chelsea boss.

Conte is currently without lead striker Alvaro Morata due to injury and started with Eden Hazard as a 'false nine' – the fourth time has he done so when devoid of an out-and-out forward – instead of Batshuayi against Huddersfield Town on Tuesday [12 December].

The Italian appears to have little confidence in Batshuayi since his arrival from Marseille in the summer of 2016 and outside of the domestic cup competitions has given him just three starts this season.

And the 24-year-old could now prove crucial to Chelsea beating the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool to signing Lemar, who has been hotly tipped to move to the Premier League.

Monaco's new sporting director Michael Emenalo – who left Stamford Bridge earlier this season – is a known admirer of Batshuayi after he helped bring him to Chelsea from Ligue 1.

A return to the French top flight could now be in the offing if Emenalo asks for Batshauyi in part-exchange for Lemar, who is expected to be subject of renewed interest in January.

Arsenal abandoned attempts to bring the France international to north London on deadline day in August and they might be made to pay for that decision by the Premier League champions.

Other players set to leave Chelsea on loan include winger Charly Musonda.

The 21-year-old has not played for Chelsea in the top flight since October after appearing to break into the first team after a staring role in the Carabao Cup win over Nottingham Forest.

He signed a new contract until 2022 last week to calm any suggestions he could leave on a permanent basis, but historically such deals on merely precursors to loan moves.