Gossip: Man Utd to sign ex-Atletico star; Chelsea’s striker confusion

Ian Watson

CHELSEA STILL PURSUING HIGUAIN 
Fresh from sourcing a replacement for winger Eden Hazard, Chelsea are said to be closer to replacing Eden Hazard, the centre-forward, too.

Christian Pulisic won’t join until the summer, when it seems most likely that Hazard will be on his way, but Maurizio Sarri’s need through the middle is rather more urgent. The Sun reckons Chelsea are closing in on a deal to bring the manager Gonzalo Higuain.

It’s not a simple deal. Higuain is currently on a season-long loan at AC Milan, who paid £16million to borrow the Argentina star from Juventus while committing to another £32million payout should they choose to make the move a permanent one next summer.

The Daily Mail reckoned yesterday that the complexities of negotiating with two clubs had put Chelsea off Higuain and this latest report does little to suggest that the Blues have cleared any of those obstacles. Alvaro Morata adds to the confusion if he is to go to Milan in exchange, though Sevilla are also said to be chasing the flop striker.

 

UNITED LINKED WITH EX-ATLETICO STAR
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer didn’t give much away on Friday when he was asked about Manchester United’s plans for January. One report this morning suggests Yannick Carrasco could be at the centre of them.

The Belgium winger took the money, £170,000-a-week to be precise, and moved to Dalian Yifang from Atletico Madrid less than a year ago. But in a stunning twist, it seems the 25-year-old isn’t feeling as fulfilled as he might.

So United are said to be willing to bring Carrasco back to Europe this month. That’s the claim of Foot Mercato, so make of that whatever you will.

If Carrasco surprises us all by rocking up at Old Trafford, then he could pass Andreas Pereira on the way out.

Arsenal, Everton and West Ham have all apparently made approaches for the midfielder, who is also wanted by Valencia and Santos.

 

AND THE REST
Beijing Sinobo Guoan have made an approach to sign Tottenham’s Mousa Dembele… Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez is close to joining Arsenal… Liverpool will not allow Adam Lallana to leave on loan this month despite being linked with Fenerbahce… Toulouse centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, a target for Man City, is close to completing a move to Barcelona… Reece Oxford join Arsenal in the summer… PSG star Adrien Rabiot will join Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer… West Ham striker Andy Carroll is linked with a return to Newcastle in a swap deal with Jonjo Shelvey… Striker Josh Maja linked a rumoured target for Tottenham, Man City and Southampton, has rejected the offer of a new Sunderland… Munir El Haddadi will leave Barca on a free transfer in the summer.