Chelsea complete loan deal for Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain until end of season

Higuain will assume the No 9 shirt at Stamford Bridge
Higuain will assume the No 9 shirt at Stamford Bridge Credit: CHELSEA FC

Chelsea have confirmed the signing of Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain on loan from Juventus until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old had spent the first half of this season on loan to Milan, where he scored eight goals, but is now reunited with Maurizio Sarri, under whom he scored 38 goals at Napoli in 2015/16.

Upon completing his loan move to Chelsea, Higuain, who will wear the number nine shirt, said: ‘When the opportunity to join Chelsea presented itself I had to take it. 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.

‘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.’

Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia added: ‘Gonzalo was our number one target in this transfer window and arrives with a proven record at the highest level. He has previously worked with Maurizio to great effect and is familiar with how the coach likes to play.

‘This was not an easy deal for us to do because of the numerous parties involved, but we are delighted we were able to make it happen and we look forward to seeing the impact Gonzalo will make for us in the second half of the season.’

Sarri hopes he will rediscover the form of their final season together at Napoli.

"He has had some difficulties recently, but we're hoping we can raise him back to his best form," Sarri told reporters on Wednesday.

"He's still scored eight goals in a team that isn't at the same level as Juventus.

"He's a very strong striker. Especially in my first season in Naples. He scored 36 goals in 35 matches in Serie A. For sure, he is one of the best strikers in my career."

Sarri was keen to boost his goalscoring options after dropping misfiring Spain forward Alvaro Morata and deploying playmaker Eden Hazard as a 'false nine' in recent games.

Asked if the arrival of Higuain was a sign that the club are behind him, Sarri said: "I hope so. I think the club agree with me when I told them my opinion about the team.

"The January market is very difficult, especially for a striker. It's very difficult in January to find one of the most important strikers in the world."

Juventus confirmed that Chelsea have the option to extend the loan for the 2019/20 season - at a cost of 18m euros (£15.6m) - or to sign him outright for 36m euros (£31.3m)

Despite the completion of the deal, Higuain - who will wear the No 9 shirt - will not be available for Chelsea's Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Tottenham at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, but could be available for the FA Cup visit of Sheffield Wednesday this weekend.

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