Premier League: Chelsea sign Gonzalo Higuain

Chelsea have finally reached an agreement with AC Milan for the transfer of Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain, the 31-year-old moves to Stamford Bridge on loan until the end of the season. At the end of the campaign the Blues will have two options: either extend the loan deal until June 2020 for around 15 million pounds or make the move permanent for 31 million pounds. Higuain had joined AC Milan last summer, also on loan from Serie A champions Juventus. He scored 8 goals in 22 appearances for the Rossoneri, a lot less productive than he was at Juventus or Napoli. "When the opportunity to join Chelsea presented itself I had to take it," said Higuain. "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." Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri knows Higuain very well, they worked together at Napoli and had great results. In fact, Higuain's best season was under Sarri, the 2015-2016 campaign produced an outstanding 36 league goals from the Argentinian striker, a new Serie A record. "He is a very strong striker, especially in my first season at Naples," said Sarri. "He did very very well. For sure, he is one of the best strikers in my career. I hope that he will start scoring for us. I know he has had some difficulties at the moment." Higuain added: "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." Gonzalo Higuain has been linked with a move to Arsenal in 2016, but the Gunners were unable to compete with a fee of 75 million pounds that Juventus paid to Napoli for his transfer. Higuain scored 40 goals during his two seasons at Juventus, before moving on loan to AC Milan last summer. The Rossoneri replaced him with Genoa striker Krzysztof Piatek, who joined them on a four-year deal. Current Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata doesn't have a place in Sarri's plans anymore, and he is set to join Atletico Madrid on loan until the end of the current season. Chelsea are currently fourth in the Premier League and they are 1/2 at Bet365 to finish in the top four at the end of the season.