Gonzalo Higuain transfer: Chelsea target has ‘made a choice’ claims AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso

The Argentine's loan from Juventus has failed to work out and he has now been omitted from the squad to face Genoa on Monday

AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso claims Chelsea target Gonzalo Higuain has “made a choice” as a move away edges closer after being omitted from the squad to face Genoa on Monday.

Higuain has failed to shine at the San Siro since signing on loan from Juventus with Maurizio Sarri eager to link up with the player at Stamford Bridge.

The pair combined effectively during their time at Napoli and the Blues have since been strongly linked with returning for the player after interest last summer.

Gennaro Gattuso sent Higuain on with 19 minutes remaining in the 1-0 defeat to the Old Lady in the Supercoppa.

And Gattuso appeared to confirm Higuain’s departure in his pre-match press conference.

“As for Higuain, nothing has been settled yet,” Gattuso said. “Leonardo will speak about it. He wasn’t ready to play.

“If he leaves then we’ll be losing an important player. I’m not disappointed, I’ve done everything. We’ve both worked well together even if we could’ve done a bit more.

Maurizio Sarri is eager to work with Gonzalo Higuain again (AP)

“He’s made a choice and we must accept that but the respect will remain.”

Gattuso also talked up Genoa’s Krzysztof Piatek, who has been strongly linked to Milan as Higuain’s replacement.

He added: “Piatek has precise qualities but we’ll discuss them if and when he joins.”