Chelsea chiefs locked in talks over deal to sign £54m international star

The January transfer window is open and managers are working hard on strengthening their squads and identifying targets for the summer so we’ll keep you up-to-date with the latest rumours. Today, Chelsea are in talks to sign Gonzalo Higuain…

Chelsea are in talks with Juventus over a deal to sign Gonzalo Higuain that could see then land the striker on an initial 18-month loan ahead of a possible £54m permanent move, according to the Express.

Higuain has earned a reputation as one of the most prolific strikers in Europe over the past decade as he’s netted 290 goals in 576 career appearances during spells with Real Madrid, Napoli, Juventus and AC Milan.

The Argentinean international is currently on loan at the San Siro from Juve but the striker has scored just once in his last 11 games and it’s led to speculation Higuain could cut short his time with the Milan giants.

Chelsea have been strongly linked with a move for the 31-year-old this month and the Express claim the Blues are now locked in negotiations with Juventus over a deal to sign the South American hitman.

The newspaper says Chelsea have told the Italians they will pay £18m to take Higuain on an initial 18-month loan deal ahead of a potential permanent transfer in the summer of 2020 if things work out for all parties.

However, the Express says Juve are reluctant to sanction another loan unless a clause is included in the deal guaranteeing the move would be made permanent for a fee of around £54m if Chelsea finish in the top four or win the Europa League.

The report says Higuain is keen to secure a move to Stamford Bridge in order to link-up with Maurizio Sarri again having played some of his best football under the Italian during their time together at Napoli.

We’ll have to wait and see how talks progress but if Higuain does end up joining Chelsea then it will almost certainly pave the way for Alvaro Morata’s exit with the Spaniard linked with a move away from west London.

The striker has endured a difficult time since joining Chelsea in the summer of 2017 after being signed as a replacement for Diego Costa and he could now be heading back to Spain if the Blues can secure a deal for Higuain.