Gonzalo Higuain 'will only play for Juventus' as Chelsea confirm loan decision

Posted Tuesday, July 02, 2019 by squawka.com

The brother and agent of Gonzalo Higuain has confirmed the striker will stay with Juventus for the 2018/19 season.

Despite scoring 23 goals in 50 games during 2017/18, Higuain fell out of favour in Turin and spent the first half of last season on loan at AC Milan.

But the 31-year-old managed just eight goals in 22 outings before seeing that loan terminated in favour of a temporary reunion with former Napoli boss Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea.

Higuain scored five goals for the Blues before the end of the season and did have an option to extend his stay into the 2019/20 season but on Monday, Chelsea made it clear that would not happen as they announced him alongside four other players to be released from the club.

A post on the club's official website read: "Gary Cahill, Gonzalo Higuain, Rob Green, Eduardo and Kyle Scott have now left Chelsea following the end of their contracts yesterday.

"Gonzalo Higuain joined Chelsea on loan from Juventus in January. He was reunited with Maurizio Sarri after their successful time together at Napoli.

"Higuain made his Blues bow in an FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday and opened his account with two superbly-taken goals the following weekend against struggling Huddersfield.

"He netted three more times before the expiry of his loan, all sharp finishes that highlighted his natural ability in front of goal. Fulham, Burnley and Watford were his victims, and he more than played his part in our eventual third-placed Premier League finish.

"With Olivier Giroud leading the line in the Europa League, Higuain's involvement was largely limited to domestic competitions, but he leaves having added another winners' medal to his extensive collection after victory in Baku."

And with Sarri taking the reins at Juve this summer, it appears the Argentina international prefers to stay in Turin.

Gonzalo's brother, Nicola Higuain, who is also his agent tweeted on Sunday: "Gonzalo will only play for Juventus in Italy. Two years contract remains and it will be respected."

Reports have suggested the powers that be at Juventus would prefer to sell Higuain but, as of yet, haven't been able to find a suitable buyer.

Higuain's uncertain future: Five key things to know…
1. Higuain has been one of Europe's most deadly strikers over the past decade.
2. The Argentine has scored 267 goals for Real Madrid, Napoli and Juve.
3. Last season, he was loaned to AC Milan and Chelsea but managed just 13 goals.
4. He has now returned to Juve and intends to see out his remaining two-year contract.
5. But the Italian champions are reportedly trying to sell Higuain.