Players linked as Sarri takes over at Chelsea

A look at the stories involving Chelsea in Saturday’s newspapers…

Chelsea have held talks about a signing Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain and want any deal to involve Alvaro Morata going the other way, the Daily Mail say.

Juventus are among several clubs to have been linked with striker Morata, who struggled for Chelsea last season.

Higuain has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and is said to be among Maurizio Sarri’s top targets.

Former Napoli boss Sarri was announced as Chelsea head coach on Saturday morning after the sacking of Antonio Conte was finally confirmed. The 59-year-old has signed a three-year contract.

The Times reported that Sarri, who is expected to bring in Blues legend Gianfranco Zola as his assistant, had agreed a two-year contract with the option of a 12-month extension.

The Guardian reported that Sarri and Napoli midfielder Jorginho were at the Bridge on Friday evening to complete their moves.

The Daily Express say Sarri will be paid £6.5m per year and that he wants to tie up deals to sign Juventus central defender Daniel Rugani, CSKA Moscow midfielder Aleksandr Golovin and Roma goalkeeper Alisson.

But the Daily Star say Sarri is already under pressure to trim Chelsea’s large squad and will need to make quick decisions on the futures of the likes of Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Michy Batshuayi and Tammy Abraham.

Meanwhile, Chelsea are haggling over a pay-off to Conte, claiming that he cost the club millions of pounds because of his fall-out with Diego Costa, according to The Sun.

Costa was sold after being told by text message by Conte that he was not in the Italian’s plans.

The Sun say Chelsea believe that damaged the club’s reputation and affected Costa’s market value.