Chelsea have stepped up their efforts to sign Gonzalo Higuain as Alvaro Morata looks secure a loan switch to Sevilla.

Higuain is keen on a move to Stamford Bridge, where he can be reunited with his former Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri.

Standard Sport revealed last month that Chelsea had reignited their interest in Higuain, who is currently on loan from Juventus at AC Milan.

Sarri initially asked for the Argentina international last summer and is pressing the board to make another move now.

Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici appeared to rule out Chelsea's chances of doing a deal last week when he said AC Milan wanted to keep him.

But AC Milan have become increasingly frustrated with the 31-year-old, who has scored just eight goals for the Serie A club this term.

AC Milan have an agreement with Juventus in place which saw them pay £16m to take Higuain on loan for the season in view of making the deal permanent in the summer for £32m.

Juventus will want Chelsea to commit to a similar deal, but the Chelsea hierarchy prefer only a short term deal.

Negotiations are ongoing and are complicated, but significantly AC Milan sporting director Leonardo has appeared to suggest that Higuain's future at the San Siro is in doubt for the first time.

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Leonardo said: "He has to make a decision and take on his share of the responsibility. Not this continual yes, no, I'm not sure. He had a tough moment, he has to put it behind him and get to work.

"There's no point following rumours and gossip. He is here right now. Seeing as he is here, he needs to get down and actually do something for this team.

"A goal can change things, but if he is to continue here, he needs to take on responsibility."

Chelsea's need for a new centre forward was highlighted again in the 1-0 League Cup semi-final defeat to Tottenham last night.

Sarri's current options, Olivier Giroud and Morata, have just 14 goals between them in 2018-19 and neither were named in the first XI at Wembley.

Morata was unavailable having picked up a minor hamstring problem in training yesterday to add to the knee problem sustained against Nottingham Forest at the weekend.