Gonzalo Higuain will return to Juventus training today with Milan and Chelsea still battling for his signature.
The Argentine looks to be on his way out of the Turin club, following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.
The 30-year-old forward is due to report for pre-season training today at the Old Lady’s Continassa headquarters – along with Ronaldo, Juan Cuadrado and Douglas Costa.
And despite heavy speculation surrounding his future in recent weeks, reports in Italian media this morning state there is still a long way to go before Higuain could depart for either San Siro or Stamford Bridge.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Bianconeri CEO Beppe Marotta is happy to allow the former Real Madrid and Napoli man to leave for a deal worth €55m.However, this is complicated by the fact Juve want to re-sign Leonardo Bonucci, who they sold to Milan just one year ago.According to the Italian daily, the Serie A champions would be happy to accept an offer of €20m in cash plus Bonucci.But with the Rossoneri also wanting to incorporate centre-back Mattia Caldara into the deal, an agreement is still some way off being reached.
Meanwhile, English Premier League side Chelsea are also still interested in pursuing a deal for Higuain, along with his Juve teammate Daniele Rugani. However, it is thought they will need to offload forward Alvaro Morata before they submit a formal offer for Higuain.
A hardworking striker and a prolific goalscorer, Higuaín is considered to be one of the top strikers of his generation, and is known in particular for his great striking ability,as well as his opportunism and clinical finishing inside the penalty area, while his height, eye for goal, and physique make him a dangerous aerial presence in the box. He also possesses good technical skills, and an ability to link-up with teammates, hold up the ball, and lay it off to other players.
His intelligent offensive movement off the ball and pace in the final third of the pitch make him an offensive threat during counter-attacks, and also allow him to lose his markers and get on the end of passes, or create space for his teammates with his attacking runs. His playing style has earned him comparisons with compatriots Hernán Crespo and Gabriel Batistuta. Despite his impressive scoring record, Higuaín has often been criticized for failing to deliver in the most important of matches for both club and country. Notable examples include poor performances in cup finals and crucial UEFA Champions League matches during his tenures at Real Madrid, Napoli and Juventus, as well as notable missed chances for the Argentina national team in the 2014 World Cup Final, the 2015 Copa América Final and the Copa América Centenario Final.