Alvaro Morata and Gonzalo Higuain are set for a sensational swap deal – with the Spanish flop all set to join AC Milan.
Chelsea striker Morata has been linked with a January move away from Stamford Bridge, after failing to impress under Maurizio Sarri.
Higuain is desperate to move to Chelsea in January and have a reunion with his former Napoli boss Sarri. Higuain, 31, is currently on loan at AC Milan from Juventus but was due to make the move permanent this summer.
But Chelsea are exploring options to boost their strike force next month with Morata struggling badly under Sarri and he looks ready to quit Stamford Bridge.Higuain played under Sarri at Napoli and, according to sources in Italy, fancies a move to the Premier League with AC Milan also under pressure to reduce their wage bill.
A potential swap deal would solve the immediate problem as Eden Hazard has played as a false nine with Morata and Olivier Giroud both struggling under Sarri.
The swap move appeals to both Higuain and Morata but the biggest issue is Higuain’s age and that could be a sticking point to a permanent move. Hence the sixth-month deal.
Two weeks ago Barcelona defender Jordi Alba says “top player” Morata would be welcome at the Spanish champions.
The former Real Madrid and Juventus hitman has been teed up for a move by his agents, who are trying to get him away from Stamford Bridge after 18 largely ineffective months.
And the reason Barcelona are receptive to the idea is because they are desperately seeking cover for Luis Suarez, who is dealing with a knee injury.
The ex-Liverpool striker is undergoing stem-cell treatment to try to cure a problem which threatens to wreck his season.