AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has revealed that Gonzalo Higuain already has his heart set on a move to Chelsea. The 31-year-old Argentine striker is, as a result, on the verge of cutting short his two-year loan stay with the Rossoneri from Juventus.
Higuain has been identified as the prime target to lead Chelsea's attack by his former manager at Napoli Maurizio Sarri. The Italian manager is reportedly awaiting a vacancy to be created with out-of-form striker Alvaro Morata expected to seal a move away from the London club this month.
Momentarily, there are a few complications tied to Higuaín's purported move to Chelsea. While his parent club Juventus is open to discuss his potential sale to the Blues, AC Milan is reluctant to part ways with the striker without finding a replacement first.
Having been given a runout in the San Siro outfit's 2-0 win over Sampdoria on Saturday, Gattuso declared that his side may have lost the battle to keep hold of the Argentine striker.
"We have a very honest relationship; we say things to people's faces. There is great honesty," Gattuso told Milan TV after the Serie A encounter on Saturday.
"When a player makes certain choices, it becomes difficult to convince him otherwise. One can try.
"At this moment, he is a Milan player and we're holding on tight. I don't know what will happen.
"We are honest with each other and I want him to maintain this attitude, which has never been lacking thus far."
Addressing a press conference later on, Gattuso added: "I've talked to him a great deal, but it's hard to give advice, because the career of a player only lasts 13-14 years. It's his mind, not mine.
"I haven't figured out what Higuain is unhappy with, because I see him look content and involved in the locker room atmosphere. We'll see what happens. If it was up to me, I'd keep him at my house and feed him my dinner."
