Chelsea agree personal terms with top transfer target

Chelsea have not given up hope of signing Gonzalo Higuain this month after agreeing personal terms with the AC Milan striker, claims Marca.

Maurizio Sarri has rekindled his interest in Higuain after failing to reunite with the former Napoli striker in the summer.

The Chelsea head coach is desperate to sign a new striker and that was underlined in Tuesday night’s 1-0 defeat away to Tottenham.

Chelsea were arguably the better side in the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final tie but were found wanting in attack where they were forced to deploy Eden Hazard through the middle.

Higuain is currently on loan at Milan this season and any deal to take him to Chelsea appeared unlikely, but Sarri’s side believe one is not dead in the water.

The Argentina international has not met expectations this season and has even been criticised by Milan’s board, fuelling speculation he could leave before the January transfer window ends.

Chelsea have reportedly agreed personal terms and must not convince Juventus and Milan to terminate his loan deal to pave the way for his transfer to Stamford Bridge.

The Premier League giants then hope to take Higuain on loan for the remainder of the campaign before making his switch permanent in the summer and his potential arrival would allow Alvaro Morata to leave, most likely to Sevilla.

The 31-year-old has scored six goals in 15 league appearances for Milan this season. Since August 2015, only two players have scored more clear-cut chances than Higuain in Serie A (50).