Sarri: Higuain hours from sealing Chelsea move but will not play against Spurs

Gonzalo Higuain is set to join Chelsea. [Picture: Martin Rickett/PA Wire]

Chelsea are in final negotiations to sign Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain, head coach Maurizio Sarri has confirmed.

Higuain scored 36 goals in 35 Serie A games in his one season at Napoli under Sarri.

“They’re a few hours into signing a contract today,” Sarri said.

Chelsea play Tottenham in Thursday’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge, bidding to overturn a 1-0 deficit to reach the February 24 final.

The Blues had until noon to register Higuain for the match and Sarri said “it’s impossible” for the Argentina international to feature.

Higuain has been on loan at AC Milan from Juventus this season, scoring just once in his last 12 appearances for the Rossoneri.

“We hope he’ll bring goals, he’ll start scoring for us,” Sarri added.

“It’s very difficult in January to find one of the most important strikers in the world. So I think the club is working very well because it’s not easy to get a new striker.”