However, the Blues' second option should they miss out on the Argentine is a word-class striker.

It's no kept secret that Chelsea is on the hunt for a striker. The club has been keen on signing Gonzalo Higuain as a result, but according to recent reports, the London giant is set to miss out on the Serie A goalscorer.

Juventus is ready to cash in on the Argentine. After signing Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, the Italian champion needs to sell a few players to balance the book, with Higuain being put up for sale as he is likely to lose his starting role to the five-time Ballon d'Or winner.

New Blues boss Maurizio Sarri was hoping to capitalize on this in order to reunite with the South American. The two worked together at Napoli before Higuain sealed his mega-money switch to Turin.

According to Gianluca di Marzio, AC Milan has stolen the lead in the race to sign the 30-year-old. The Rossoneri has offered a loan deal for the South American that will see them pay $21M up front with the option to purchase for an extra $42M by next summer.

Additionally, it is claimed that Higuain prefers joining the Italian club over a move to London. Elsewhere, AC Milan also appears destined to agreeing to a swap deal that would see Leonardo Bonucci return to Juventus, with Mattia Caldara heading in the opposite direction. 

Sarri's desire for a new striker is not surprising. Alvaro Morata flopped in his debut season at Stamford Bridge while Olivier Giroud isn't the preferred player to spearhead Chelsea's attack next season.

The Premier League could shift their attention to Robert Lewandowski should they miss out on Higuain, which would not be a bad Plan B. Landing the Polish superstar could then be used as a bargaining tool to keep Eden Hazard, a man heavily linked with Real Madrid, in the English capital.