Chelsea are trying to complete the signing of Gonzalo Higuain in time for the striker to face Arsenal at the Emirates this weekend.
The Argentine, who is currently on loan at AC Milan from Juventus, is the Blues’ top January transfer target as Maurizio Sarri looks to bolster his attacking options.And Chelsea have reportedly agreed a deal to take the 31-year-old on loan for the rest of the season, subsequently paving the way for Alvaro Morata’s departure to Atletico Madrid.
The Blues have until 12pm on Friday to register Higuain in order for him to be eligible to feature against Arsenal.
Chelsea are reportedly willing to pay his £150,000-a-week salary, although the deal is being delayed as AC Milan search for a replacement.If the paperwork for Higuain is completed in time, the new arrival would likely slot straight into Sarri’s starting XI against the Gunners.
This would see Eden Hazard shift out to the left wing while Pedro, Willian and Callum Hudson-Odoi will compete for a spot on the opposite flank.
Meanwhile, the first-choice midfield trio of Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are expected to start.
Ross Barkley offers an alternative to Kovacic in the middle but Ruben Loftus Cheek is ruled out with a back injury.Andreas Christensen is also sidelined but would not be expected to feature anyway with Antonio Rudiger and David Luiz preferred at centre-back.
Marcos Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta will retain their full-back positions while Kepa Arrizabalaga is undisputed first-choice in goal.
The Blues are currently fourth in the Premier League, six points clear of Arsenal but 10 points off the pace of table-toppers Liverpool.