Chelsea are working to bring Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain to the club this week, according Corriere dello Sport journalist Alrfredo Pedulla.
Blues boss Maurizio Sarri worked with Higuain at Napoli, and it’s said he is desperate to bring his old charge to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea do face fierce competition from Milan, however, with Gennaro Gattuso’s side working hard to convince the Argentine to stay in Italy.
Pedulla tweeted on his personal Twitter account that Sarri is pushing the Chelsea hierarchy to get the deal done quickly.
#Sarri is strictly pushing #Chelsea in order to get #Higuain asap, at the same time #Milan get in touch with #Higuain’s brother (Pipita’s manager)
— Alfredo Pedullà (@AlfredoPedulla) July 23, 2018
Higuain and Sarri shared just one season together in Naples, a year in which Higuain scored 36 Serie A goals, equalling the all-time record set by Gino Rossetti in 1928-29.
He has continued to be prolific during his time at Juventus, but the 31-year-old has reportedly been rendered surplus to requirements following the club’s signing of Cristiano Ronaldo.
Good move for Chelsea?
This would appear to be a deal that works for all parties involved. Sarri gets an elite level striker that he knows well, Higuain gets a fresh start with a familiar face in charge, while Juventus will be able to recoup some of what they paid for Ronaldo. The issue here is whether Chelsea can get the deal over the line or not, or whether Milan will snare the Argentinian instead. If the player decides to stay in Italy, a country where he has enjoyed the best form of his career, then the Blues will have to move on to other options. It’s unclear where Alvaro Morata fits in at Stamford Bridge after an underwhelming first season at the club, and Sarri’s pursuit of Higuain shows that he’s not wholly convinced by the Spaniard. All that being said, if Chelsea can get the deal done then it’s a terrific signing and a real statement of intent.
This is Futbol rating: 9/10
Likely to happen?
This one hangs on a knife edge. Juventus are willing to sell by all accounts, so it may just depend on the player. Does he stay in Italy and stick, or does he twist and move abroad with his old Napoli boss? We should get the answer soon enough.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10