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The rumors linking Chelsea with Gonzalo Higuain simply won’t go away, despite multiple stories suggesting that Higuain isn’t leaving AC Milan.
The latest stories have Chelsea looking to hijack the Argentina international striker’s loan move to Milan, with the West London club looking to meet Juventus’ asking price and sending Alvaro Morata to Milan in return.
From UK: Chelsea and AC Milan will finalize Higuain-Morata swap deal https://t.co/iY5SgGrH6Q pic.twitter.com/YUuRRxo69w
— CalcioMercato (En) (@CmdotCom_En) January 5, 2019
Reports from the UK suggest that the deal is still set to be completed in the January transfer window, with Morata unhappy and unsettled at Chelsea, and Higuain the preferred candidate for Maurizio Sarri, who is looking to reunite with the striker from their days together at Napoli. Morata would join Milan on loan, and
From a Milan perspective, the deal doesn’t make a lot of sense from a footballing perspective, but with the FFP hammer set to be lowered on Milan, shedding a large contract and a large future transfer fee might not be the worst idea in the world. Milan are also rumored to be looking at keeping Tiemoue Bakayoko at the club, but would like a discount on the midfielder as it appears that Bakayoko would prefer to stay at Milan rather than go back to Chelsea.
Milan bringing in Morata, who scored a pair of goal in Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Championship side Nottingham Forest, would bring the 26 year-old Spain international striker back to Italy and Serie A, after he starred at Juventus. His best season came for Real Madrid in La Liga, but his time in Italy was certainly better than his current form in England with Chelsea.
Taking Morata off Chelsea’s hands might help with the deal for Bakayoko, and Morata is younger than Higuain as well, and after his miserable time in London, he might not be opposed to splitting time with Patrick Cutrone, who is absolutely the future of Milan at that position.
Higuain is a special talent, no doubt. However, with so much of the team also needing improvement, not to mention the possibility of a UEFA FFP judgement, not paying a transfer fee greater than €30 million for a striker over 30 years old might be a blessing in disguise. The deal has been rumored for weeks, if not months, so will it happen? If Chelsea and Sarri absolutely want Higuain, then it probably will. If not, then Higuain will stay at Milan.