Chelsea have reportedly suffered a blow in their pursuit of Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain due to the Italian champions nearing a deal with AC Milan for the Argentine.
New Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is understood to have made Higuain one of his primary transfer targets this summer as he looks for a replacement for Alvaro Morata at Stamford Bridge.
Sarri worked with Higuain during their time together at Napoli and had been hopeful of enticing the 30-year-old to the Premier League following Cristiano Ronaldo's arrival in Turin.
However, Italian outlet Tuttosport claims that Juventus are now considering a swap deal which could see Higuain join AC Milan with Leonardo Bonucci moving in the opposite direction to return to his former club.
Such a deal could also hurt Chelsea's chances of signing Juventus defender Daniele Rugani, with Milan rumoured to have demanded fellow centre-back Mattia Caldara as part of the swap deal too.
The Serie A champions would be unwilling to lose both Rugani and Caldara this summer, forcing Chelsea to consider other defensive options.
The Premier League outfit are also understood to have seen an approach for Paris Saint-Germain forward Edinson Cavani turned down.
Barney Corkhill
