Chelsea have announced the signing of Argentinian international striker Gonzalo Higuain on a season-long loan deal.
Milan have been quick to replace Higuain, bringing in Polish striker Krzysztof Piatek for a reported £30 million from Serie A rivals Genoa.
The former Real Madrid striker will team up with Maurizio Sarri once again after managing the striker at Napoli where he got the best out of the Argentine as Higuain netted 36 goals in 35 league appearances at the San Paolo Stadium.
The striker’s arrival should trigger Alvaro Morata’s departure to Atletico Madrid on an 18-month loan. The 31-year-old had been on loan at AC Milan from parent club Juventus where he scored eight goals in 22 appearances.
Chelsea announced the move through Twitter this evening:
Welcome to London and welcome to Chelsea, @G_Higuain! ?#HiguaIN pic.twitter.com/DMJN7z8YOL
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) 23 January 2019
Speaking after securing his move to the Premier League, Chelsea’s new number nine couldn’t wait to get started.
“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 were unable to register their new acquisition in time for him to play in their Carabao Cup semi-final against Tottenham on Thursday night with Higuain now likely to make his debut in Blues’ FA Cup fixture against Sheffield Wednesday on Sunday.