Chelsea are staring at the possibility of losing out on Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain, with AC Milan reportedly plotting a swoop.
As per reports from the Evening Standard, Premier League giants Chelsea are at a danger of missing out on priority transfer target Gonzalo Higuain, with AC Milan stepping up their interest to land the Juventus forward.
Chelsea’s new manager Maurizio Sarri has identified the Argentine international as one of his key transfer targets heading into the new season, with question marks over the future of current first-choice striker Alvaro Morata.
The Spaniard, after arriving at the Stamford Bridge for a club-record fee last summer, endured a tough debut season and is understood to be keen on a return to Italy, where he had a solid stint with Juventus a while ago.
The Bianconeri were believed to be interested in taking the former Real Madrid star back, with Chelsea proposing a sensational swap deal involving him and Higuain. However, they are unlikely to pursue Morata, following their shock acquisition of another former Madrid player, Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Blues remain hopeful that Ronaldo’s arrival at the club will force Juventus to sell Higuain, in order to balance the books. But, they will now have to battle Serie A giants AC Milan, if they are to sign the 30-year old Argentine star.
Milan, who were also linked with a swoop for Morata not very long ago, are reportedly intent on bolstering their attacking department. And it is being claimed that the Rossoneri have already established contact with Higuain’s brother and agent, Nicolas.
Gennaro Gattuso’s side are willing to offer defender Leonardo Bonucci, who only joined from Juve last summer, in order to capture Higuain’s signature. However, according to Italian outlet Calciomercato, the Old Lady have rejected a direct swap deal, but are open to such an arrangement, should Milan throw in €25 million along with the defender.
Higuain managed to net 23 goals and set up 8 more in 50 outings in the 2017-18 season for Juventus, on the way to lifting his second Serie A title and Italian Cup with the Bianconeri. However, the former Real Madrid striker endured a difficult campaign in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, as he featured for only a paltry 132 minutes across three games, during which he failed to find the net.
Chelsea, however, remain interested in the player, owing to the fact that Higuain played some of the best football in his career under Sarri, when the duo spent time together at Napoli in the 2015-16 season. And the club will be hoping that the Italian gaffer will once again be able to extract the best out of the 75-time capped Argentine international, should they be able to sign El Pipita this summer. However, if they are to do so, they will need to act fast with Milan swooping in.
