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Transfers
Is there any truth in rumours linking Chelsea with an £88 million bid for Gonzalo Higuain?
Having missed out on Romelu Lukaku, Chelsea have been forced to turn their attentions elsewhere in their hunt for a striker. One name who few were expecting to arise is that of Juventus centre forward Gonzalo Higuain. Now, though, Italian newspaper say that the Turin club have rejected an £88 million bid from west London for the forward.
What would the Argentine bring to Stamford Bridge?
32 goals in 55 games last season would suggest that Higuain knows where the back of the net is. Chelsea are on the look out for a player with his power and clinical finishing up-front and the 29-year-old would fit that mould perfectly.
Having developed a reputation at some of Europe’s top clubs in Real Madrid, Napoli and Juventus, Higuain is a rounded player who can hold the ball up well and defend from the front. That would match Chelsea’s style and would allow him to bring in the likes of Eden Hazard and Pedro either side of him.
Is a move likely?
No. Juventus have made it clear that they will not become a feeder club for their former manager already this summer and across the last year. Having rejected bids from Chelsea for the likes of Leonardo Bonucci, Alex Sandro and now reportedly Higuain, there is almost no chance they would sell their talisman.
Whilst the Old Lady clearly do have their price, as Paul Pogba showed last season, and Bonucci most recently with his move to AC Milan, they will not part with their players easily. With Chelsea in a rush to get a first choice striker into their squad as soon as possible, it seems unlikely that they would pursue such a difficult deal to achieve, which could go right to deadline day.
If the Blues would have to go above an incredible £88 million and break the world transfer record, they would surely only do so for their first choice target. Having missed out on Lukaku, it would seem that Higuain would not fit that profile.