Gonzalo Higuaín’s future is very much up in the air; “still to be written” is the conclusion from Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport.

The one thing however that does seem more and more clear by the day is that Chelsea will not pick up either the loan option or the buy option for next season, which would cost €18m and €36m, respectively, not including Pipita’s outrageous wages (and assuming any of that is even possible under a transfer ban).

Considering his poorly play and meager goal return — 5 goals in 18 matches in all competions; 3 of those against relegated sides Huddersfield (2) and Fulham (1) — not to mention the impending departure of Sarri, who had vouched for him, that’s not an unsurprising intention from the Blues.

Higuaín himself is said to be “fascinated” by the Premier League and wouldn’t mind staying, but if Chelsea aren’t offering him that option, it’s hard to see any other team do something that overtly silly.

That leaves the “China option”, even if that escape route is nowhere near as viable as it was a few years ago when the money was pouring in (new government control have reined in most of it since), and simply the option to return to Juventus. Juve may not have wanted him back before, but if they do hire Sarri, there’s always a chance for a change of heart. CdS speculates that Higuaín could make Mandžukić expendable and also prevent the sensational swap of Paulo Dybala and Mauro Icardi with Inter, which they don’t seem too fond of.

But, again, the main thing for us is that Higuaín looks be heading back home, which means that Chelsea should