Chelsea 'leading race for Gonzalo Higuain'

Chelsea are reportedly in pole position to sign Gonzalo Higuain from Juventus this summer.

Former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri is expected to be named as the new Chelsea manager once a severance package is agreed with the incumbent Antonio Conte, and he is thought to have identified Higuain as one of his main targets.

Sarri worked with the 30-year-old striker at Napoli and is keen for a reunion as Chelsea look for a new frontman following Alvaro Morata's first-season struggles in the Premier League.

Calciomercato reports that Juventus are understood to be open to the idea of selling Higuain if they can agree a deal to sign Inter Milan's Mauro Icardi as his replacement.

However, the Italian champions are likely to demand a fee of around €70m (£61.2m) for the Argentina international's services in order to help fund their move for Icardi, who could cost in excess of €100m (£87.4m).

Higuain joined Juventus from Napoli in 2016 and has since scored 55 goals in 105 games for the club across all competitions.