Transfer Centre

Gennaro Gattuso: 'Gonzalo Higuain wants to leave AC Milan'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 13 January 2019

Gennaro Gattuso says that he is desperate to keep hold of Juventus loanee Gonzalo Higuain, but the Chelsea target appears to favour a move away from San Siro.

AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso has revealed that Chelsea target Gonzalo Higuain wants to leave San Siro this month.

The Argentina international has struggled to match the form shown for Napoli and Juventus since arriving in Milan five months ago, scoring six times in 15 Serie A outings this term.

Higuain is currently on loan with the Rossoneri from Juventus until the end of the season, which has complicated a potential transfer to Chelsea.

Maurizio Sarri has worked with the striker at Napoli and is keen on a reunion before the end of the January window, but the Blues must negotiate terms with both Milan and Juventus.

Gattuso has confirmed that, despite his best efforts, Higuain would prefer to play his football elsewhere in the second half of the season, telling reporters: "When a player makes up his mind it becomes hard to convince them otherwise.

"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.

"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. The most important thing is to talk as men, look each other in the eyes and speak the truth.

"I still don't understand what Higuain's unhappy about because I see a happy lad, involved in the locker room. We'll see what happens. If it was up to me, I'd keep him at my house and feed him my dinner."

Higuain's arrival at Stamford Bridge would pave the way for Alvaro Morata - left out of the squad to face Newcastle United on Saturday despite being fit - to join a new club.