Chelsea transfer news: Gonzalo Higuain joins Blues on loan from AC Milan

Chelsea have been chasing a forward to potentially replace Alvaro Morata

Chelsea have confirmed the loan signing of AC Milan forward Gonzalo Higuain until the end of the current season.

Maurizio Sarri has been intent on bringing a forward to Chelsea in addition to the £58m acquisition of Christian Pulisic from Borussia Dortmund.

After the deal was finally confirmed on Wednesday evening, Higuain said: “When the opportunity to join Chelsea presented itself I had to take it. It’s a team I’ve always liked that has a lot of history, a wonderful stadium and they play in the Premier League, a league I’ve always wanted to play in.

“I now hope I can give back that trust Chelsea have shown me out on the pitch. I can’t wait to start and I hope to adapt as soon as possible.”

Chelsea’s director, Marina Granovskaia added:

“Gonzalo was our number one target in this transfer window and arrives with a proven record at the highest level. He has previously worked with Maurizio to great effect and is familiar with how the coach likes to play.

“This was not an easy deal for us to do because of the numerous parties involved, but we are delighted we were able to make it happen and we look forward to seeing the impact Gonzalo will make for us in the second half of the season.”

Higuain, who scored 36 goals in 35 Serie A matches in his single season under Sarri together at Napoli, has not signed in time for Chelsea’s Carabao Cup match against Tottenham on Thursday, where they must overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.

The Argentine had to be registered by noon on Wednesday to stand any chance of playing but it seems the club missed the deadline.

Chelsea have been interested in Gonzalo Higuain for some time (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

“They’re a few hours into signing a contract today,” Sarri said in a press conference earlier today. “It’s impossible. I don’t know because I have to speak to the doctor.,” he added. “I haven’t seen him before. I think for tomorrow it’s impossible.”

“We hope he’ll bring goals, he’ll start scoring for us,” said Sarri. “It’s very difficult in January to find one of the most important strikers in the world. So I think the club is working very well because it’s not easy to get a new striker.”

Higuain joins Chelsea as Alvaro Morata gets closer to the exit door, with Atletico Madrid understood to be best placed to sign the Spanish forward if they can clear space on their wage bill.