CHELSEA look set to miss out on Gonzalo Higuain with the Juventus striker to be used in a swap deal with Inter Milan ace Mauro Icardi.
Recent reports claimed the Blues were offered the 30-year-old in exchange for Alvaro Morata, but the FA Cup holders potential deal now looks to be scuppered.
According to Italian news outlet Tuttosport, the Old Lady are in talks with the Nerazzurri over a sensational swap between their two star forwards.
Higuain looks poised to leave Turin in the summer, but could be staying in Italy to lead the line at the San Siro.
Icardi’s future under Luciano Spalletti has been called into question in recent weeks, with Inter fearing a foreign side could activate his £96million release clause.
The 25-year-old captain starred for Inter this season as he guided them to Champions League qualification – netting 29 Serie A goals – but still found himself out of Argentina’s World Cup squad.
Former Inter chairman Massimo Moratti said of the potential deal: “Icardi is a player in constant growth and we do not yet know his true potential. It would be a shame to get rid of it.
“On the other hand, there is Higuain who is certainly a giver of great experience and has proved to be decisive both at Napoli and now at Juventus and could be for everyone.
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“There is an age difference that must be taken into account, but it seems that in the offer they have made, the Bianconeri have considered everything.
“It is not an offer to forget, however, at the same time, we need to think about the fact that, perhaps, for us, Icardi is indispensable.
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“We must be responsible for Inter to make this kind of decision. I can speak as a fan and at this moment I would like Icardi to stay.
“It is clear that in front of the fear or the certainty that you take it away thanks to the activation of the clause, the exchange with Higuain could be an operation to be taken into consideration without question.”
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