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Tag: Gonzalo Higuain

  • Serie A: Juventus terminate Higuain contract

    Serie A: Juventus terminate Higuain contract

    Juventus have terminated Gonzalo Higuain’s contract with a year left to run, paving the way for the Argentine striker to make a move to Inter Miami on a two-season deal, Goal reports

    The 32-year-old, who arrived in Turin in 2016 as one of the most expensive transfers in football history, has seen the curtain brought down on his career with the Bianconeri as he prepares to switch to Major League Soccer on a contract that will run until 2022.

    The former Argentina forward, who announced his international retirement last year, was signed from Napoli following a season where he finished as Serie A’s top scorer and enjoyed a fruitful first two seasons at Allianz Stadium.

    But he spent the 2018-19 campaign farmed out first to Milan and then Chelsea after Cristiano Ronaldo arrived from Real Madrid, surprising onlookers who had expected both to star in attack together.

    Though he returned to the club last year, reuniting with his former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri, he has not done enough to figure in new coach Andrea Pirlo’s plans going forward, and was thought to be mulling over a number of options surrounding his future.

    Now, he looks almost certain to join David Beckham’s expansion side in Florida, having agreed personal terms with the club, with a medical set to follow shortly.

  • EPL: Higuain insists on Chelsea stay, says I’m happy here

    Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain says it is his “intention” to be at Stamford Bridge next season.

    The Argentina international, 31, joined the Blues on loan until the end of the season from Italian giants Juventus in January.

    Last week, Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri said Higuain – who has scored three goals in eight Premier League appearances – needs “time to improve”.

    “I want to do as well as I can so I can be here for next season,” Higuain said.

    “I came here and I wanted to stay. It’s a good city, you live well and you can be relaxed but also enjoy yourself – so my intention is to stay here.”

    Higuain scored twice on his home debut against Huddersfield in February, but has not netted since the Blues’ 2-1 win over Fulham in March.

    Chelsea have the option to buy him for 36m euros (£31.3m), or to extend his loan deal until June 2020 for 18m euros (£15.6m).

    “I’m happy here,” Higuain told the Chelsea website. “It’s always nice to try a new league and it’s my first taste of the Premier League.

    “Obviously it’s a period where I’m adapting but I’m hoping that, although I’ve only got a short time, I can finish well.

    “The best thing we can do is qualify for the Champions League and hopefully win the Europa League too.”

  • Higuain has same problem as Luis Suarez, says Sarri

    Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri has compared Gonzalo Higuain to Luis Suarez and says the on-loan striker “needs time” to improve.

    The 31-year-old, who joined Chelsea on loan from Juventus in January, was an unused substitute in the 3-0 win over Brighton on Wednesday.

    Sarri insists he wants to keep Higuain next season but wants him to improve physically for the Premier League.

    “It was a problem for Suarez in the first season at Liverpool,” Sarri said.

    Suarez joined Liverpool in January 2011 and scored four Premier League goals before the season ended. The following season he scored 11 league goals, before going on to score 23 and 31 respectively in those that followed.

    “He has to improve physically, mentally, but I think also he will be able to be very useful for us in the last part of the season,” Sarri said of Higuain, who has scored three goals in eight league appearances for Chelsea.

    “It’s not easy in the first months to play in the Premier League. It was a problem also for Suarez in the first season at Liverpool. He scored only a few goals. In the second season he scored more. So it’s not easy, especially for a striker, to play immediately well in the Premier League.

    “I think he needs time to improve his physical condition and time to be suitable for the Premier League. I think he is able to do it.”

    Sarri hopes to keep Higuain at Stamford Bridge next season but said it was dependant on both Chelsea and his parent club. Chelsea have the option to buy the Argentine for 36m euros (£31.3m) or to extend his loan deal until June 2020 for 18m euros (£15.6m).

    “Yes of course [I want to keep him], but it depends on the club, it depends on Juventus,” said Sarri.

    “It’s not clear the situation at the moment.”

    Fifth-placed Chelsea face West Ham at Stamford Bridge on Monday.

    BBC

  • Gonzalo Higuain retires from international football

    Gonzalo Higuain retires from international football

    Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain has announced his retirement from international football with Argentina.

    Higuain, 31, won 75 caps for his country, scoring 31 goals, but has not featured since the 2018 World Cup.

    He joined Chelsea on loan from Juventus in January.

    “I’ve made the decision because I want to enjoy my family, I want to spend time with my daughter and at the same time I feel that I gave my country everything I could,” Higuain said.

    “I’m fully focused on my commitment to Chelsea.

    “The Premier League is amazing and I really want to enjoy it. It’s very competitive indeed.”

    Higuain reached the finals of three major tournaments with Argentina – the 2014 World Cup and the Copa America in 2015 and 2016 – but has often been criticised for his performances in international football.

    He missed an excellent chance in the 2014 World Cup final defeat to Germany and failed to convert an opportunity in normal time of the 2015 Copa America final loss against Chile before also missing in the penalty shootout.

    “People remember the goals I missed and not the ones I scored. I’m sure everyone celebrated the goal against Belgium [the winner in the 2014 World Cup quarter-final],” he told Fox Sports.

    “When you criticise someone maliciously it hurts everyone. I saw how much my family suffered, but I gave everything for the national team.

    “It’s one thing to say that the national team did not achieve our objectives, but when people talk about failure it’s very hard.”

  • EPL: Gonzalo Higuain looks set to quit Chelsea

    Gonzalo Higuain is ready to quit Chelsea at the end of this season, if the club sacks Maurizio Sarri as manager, Daily Mail reports.

    Higuain only arrived at Stamford Bridge in January and has scored two goals in his first three Premier League matches.

    Chelsea have the option to extend his initial six-month loan deal to another season-long loan for £15.6million at the end of the season, or they can buy him outright for £31.3m.

    However, the 31-year-old is concerned over Sarri’s future at the club and would be set to follow him out the door, should the axe fall on the manager.

    Sarri worked with Higuain at Napoli, but his Chelsea future remains in major doubt, after a string of disappointing results left Chelsea in sixth place in the Premier League.

  • EPL: Gonzalo Higuain hits brace in league debut

    Gonzalo Higuain scored his first goals in English football to help Chelsea beat Huddersfield while Tottenham moved second in the Premier League table with a late victory over Newcastle.

    Higuain’s instinctive early finish and a fine effort from range in the second period were complemented by two Eden Hazard goals and a David Luiz strike as Maurizio Sarri’s side moved fourth with a 5-0 victory over the Terriers.

    Details to follow…

  • EPL: Higuain chooses cursed Chelsea jersey number

    EPL: Higuain chooses cursed Chelsea jersey number

    New Chelsea striker Gonzalo Higuain has reportedly taken the brave decision to pick the number nine shirt.

    According to SkySports, as cited on social media, the Argentine picked the number that many regard as ‘cursed’ at Stamford Bridge.

    It follows a series of players being unable to perform to the highest level while wearing the number nine.

    Those include Alvaro Morata and Fernando Torres in recent years, while the likes of Mateja Kezman, Hernan Crespo and Steve Sidwell have also failed to impress wearing the number.

    Higuain sealed his loan move to Chelsea today after completing medicals at the club’s Cobham training ground in London.

    Chelsea, who were unable to secure a deal over the line in time for the striker to face Tottenham in their League Cup semi-final on Thursday night, but the 31-year-old could well feature against Bournemouth in the Blues’ next Premier League outing.

  • Transfer news: Chelsea agree deal to sign Gonzalo Higuain on loan

    Chelsea have agreed a deal with Juventus to sign Gonzalo Higuain on loan until the end of the season, according to Sky in Italy.

    It is understood the loan could then be extended for another 12 months subject to certain conditions.

    Higuain has been on loan at AC Milan from Juventus since the start of the season, with an option to buy at the end of the season.

    Chelsea head coach Maurizio Sarri is understood to be keen on bringing Higuain to Stamford Bridge, despite concerns from the club’s board.

    According to Sky in Italy, Chelsea’s chief-executive Marina Granovskaia remains unconvinced Higuain is the answer to the club’s striker problems.

    Higuain came off the bench for the final 20 minutes of AC Milan’s 1-0 Super Cup defeat to Juventus in Saudi Arabia.

    Over the weekend Gattuso appeared to confirm Higuain was keen to leave the San Siro, saying “when a player makes up his mind it becomes hard to convince them otherwise”.

    However, he has since backtracked on those comments: “He still hasn’t told me he wants to leave, I am still waiting. You know what I mean.”

  • Higuain close to Chelsea deal as agent arrives London

    Gonzalo Higuain’s agent has reportedly travelled to London, as a proposed move to Chelsea edges closer, The Standard reports.

    The Argentine striker is Blues boss Maurizio Sarri’s top target, as he looks to solve his side’s goalscoring woes.

    Higuain is currently on loan at AC Milan, but wants to cut the deal short to reunite with former Napoli boss, Sarri at Stamford Bridge.

    The player’s brother, Nicolas is also his representative and was spotted in London on Thursday, amid speculation over the switch.

    He has made the trip to learn more about Chelsea’s interest in the 31-year-old.

  • Transfer gossips: Gonzalo Higuain close to Chelsea move

    Chelsea are closing in on the signing of AC Milan and Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain, 31. (Marca)

    Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy has placed a £225m price tag on Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, 26, amid interest from Real Madrid. (AS – in Spanish)

    Tottenham’s former Spain striker Fernando Llorente, 33, has been offered the chance to return to Athletic Bilbao. (Mirror)

    Athletic Bilbao chief Rafael Alkorta has confirmed he wants to bring Manchester United and Spain midfielder Ander Herrera, 29, back to the club. Herrera left the Spanish side in 2014. (Cadena Ser, via Mail)

    But Herrera may be set to stay at Old Trafford after United interim manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reportedly convinced him to remain at the club. (Sun)

    Manchester United have accepted they will have to wait until the summer to sign Napoli and Senegal centre-back ​Kalidou Koulibaly, 27. (ESPN)

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says talks are taking place about extending 32-year-old Belgian central defender Vincent Kompany’s contract, which expires at the end of the season. (Star)

    Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been approached over the possibility of coaching the Qatar national team. (France Football)

    Inter Milan are prepared to sell Croatia forward Ivan Perisic, 29, to Manchester United in order to raise funds to sign Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric, 33. (Tuttosport, via Calciomercato)

    Inter and Argentina striker Mauro Icardi, 25, is at the top of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich’s wish-list for the January transfer window. (Mirror)

    Bayern Munich have increased their offer for Chelsea forward Callum Hudson-Odoi to £35m, with the 18-year-old having reiterated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge this month. (Guardian)

    Chelsea want to sign AC Milan and Portugal striker Andre Silva – who is on loan at Sevilla – but the deal hinges on the Blues’ Spain striker Alvaro Morata replacing him at the Spanish club. (Sun)

    Everton are monitoring Porto and Algeria midfielder Yacine Brahimi and had a scout at Monday’s 3-1 win over Nacional, in which the 28-year-old scored twice. (Mirror)

    Burnley goalkeeper Joe Hart, 31, is a target for Preston who want the former England international on loan. (Sun)

    Crystal Palace want to take Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham on loan after the 21-year-old, currently on loan at Aston Villa, turned down the chance to join Wolves. (Mirror)

    Southampton are keen on signing Everton forward Ademola Lookman, 21. (Star – via HITC)

    Fulham gave England defender Gary Cahill, 33, Nigeria winger Victor Moses and England midfielder Danny Drinkwater, both 28, a training ground tour in an attempt to lure them away from Chelsea. (Love Sport Radio)

    Liverpool defender Rafael Camacho, 18, is set to leave Anfield – just days after being handed his senior debut – with Sporting Lisbon close to agreeing a deal for the right-back. (Talksport)

    Barcelona midfielder Denis Suarez, 25, is keen on a move to Arsenal in January. (Mirror)

    Spurs are set to hold talks with out-of-favour Dutch striker Vincent Janssen and will consider letting the 24-year-old striker leave in the January transfer window. (Mail)

    Arsenal are considering making former midfielder Edu their new director of football. The Brazilian retired in 2010. (Standard)

    Barcelona are open to the idea of selling Brazilian winger Malcom, 21, despite only signing him in the summer. (Mundo Deportivo)