Chelsea are closing in on a swoop for AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain, it has been claimed.
The development comes amid the release of a team photo by Milan with Higuain conspicuously absent.
The Serie A club splashed out €18m (£15.9m) to take the 31-year-old on a season-long loan from Juventus.
A €36m (£31.9m) permanent option is built into the deal, which is causing problems.
Chelsea will have to stump up a loan fee to take over Milan’s loan deal for Higuain.
Juventus are also demanding a similar clause at the end of the season for him to complete a permanent switch.
Milan are also looking to secure a replacement before ditching Higuain, who has scored eight goals in all competitions this season.
CalcioMercato claim Rossoneri have warned Serie A rivals they are set to launch an offer for Polish goal machine Piatek.
They are reportedly set to table a financially-attractive loan deal with a compulsory purchase option.
Piatek, 23, has bagged 19 goals in 21 appearances in all competitions for Genoa since joining from Cracovia Krakow last summer – significantly more than the man he is set to replace.
Higuain is eager to be reunited with Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea following a prolific spell under his leadership at Napoli.
He broke the Serie A goal scoring record in the 2015/16 season, finding the back of the net 36 times.
Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso has suggested Higuain’s mind is elsewhere.
“When a player makes up his mind it becomes hard to convince them otherwise,” Gattuso said.
“I have a relationship with him that features great honesty, we say things to one another’s face.
“At the moment, he’s our player and we’re holding on tightly to him. I don’t know what will happen.”
Higuain and Milan are currently in Saudi Arabai for the Italian Supercup.
