Chelsea set for Gonzalo Higuain transfer talks as they plot £53m swoop

Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri is keeping tabs on Serie A as he continues to reshape his squad ahead of the new Premier League season.

Sources in Italy suggest Chelsea are closing in on two Juventus players — defender Daniele Rugani and striker Gonzalo Higuain.

Higuain continues to be linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and Chelsea are meeting his brother, Nicolas, who also acts as his agent, on Wednesday to discuss a £53m transfer which would see the Argentine handed a three-year deal worth about £127,000 a week.

It comes after the club made their first acquisition of the summer window by buying Napoli star Jorginho for £57.4m.

Meanwhile, Olivier Giroud has welcomed the appointment of Sarri as Chelsea’s new boss.

The World Cup winner said: "Conte was a great coach but I’m sure Sarri will do a wonderful job.

“We can challenge for trophies. I don’t forget what Conte brought to Chelsea. I have a lot of respect for him. It’s a new page of the story of the club and we want to be competitive. I’m looking forward to coming back and working well with the new coach.”