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Chelsea transfer battle: Maurizio Sarri and board clash revealed by Sky Sports presenter
CHELSEA manager Maurizio Sarri battled with the club’s transfer mogul Marina Granovskaia in order to sign Gonzalo Higuain.
Chelsea: Higuain is Sarri's 'last throw of the dice' says pundit
Chelsea are all set to land Higuain on an 18-month loan deal this week.
All being well the striker will join from Juventus today and be available to play against Tottenham in the EFL Cup semi-final on Thursday.
But Sarri has to shift Alvaro Morata - wanted at Atletico Madrid - out of the club first.
And Dharmesh Sheth says the manager has had to play ball with Granovskaia in order to snare Higuain.
This represents a compromise being struck between Granovskaia and Sarri
“It’s close. They are close to signing Gonzalo Higuain,” he said on Sky Sports.
“This is the one Sarri wanted all window.
“But there have been reservations higher up the chain at Chelsea - notably from their director Marina Granovskaia - given Higuain’s age.
“He is 31 years old.
Alvaro Morata will 'struggle' at Atletico Madrid says Robson
“But it seems this represents a compromise being struck between Granovskaia and Sarri.
“Higuain’s loan from Juventus to AC Milan was cut short. He will join Chelsea on loan until the end of the season, with the option of extending that loan for a further 12 months.
“It gives Sarri his man but also minimises the financial risk that Chelsea would have had to outlay, had they tried to get Higuain on a fully permanent deal.”
Chelsea spent £58m on Morata 18 months ago, picking him up from Real Madrid.
But the Spaniard has laboured to impress at Stamford Bridge and has been angling for a return to Spain.
His family are said to have already headed to Madrid and Morata is expected to follow.
Meanwhile, Express Sport understands Higuain’s deal to Chelsea could well be completed today.
And the Blues will need to register their man by Wednesday if they want him to play against Tottenham in Thursday’s cup showdown.