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When it comes to this stage of the season, supporters are often left waiting and waiting for transfer to happen.

A player is linked with a move to a club, and fans expect deals to happen like that - desperate to see new players join their clubs.

But it is far from easy.

And often there are mitigating factors behind a deal being completed.

In some ways, buying footballers can be like buying a house - there is normally a chain involved.

And that would appear to be the case with Chelsea's move for Gonzalo Higuain.

Higuain has been touted as a Blues transfer window capture since Maurizio Sarri joined the club in the summer. Sarri and Higuain enjoyed a fruitful spell together at Napoli in 2015/16 and with the Blues boss reluctant to trust Alvaro Morata or Olivier Giroud up front, the Argentinian frontman was always going to be one of the names at the head of the list.

But there are complications.

Higuian is on a season-long loan deal from Juventus with AC Milan. That loan has an option to buy at the end of it, but the 31-year-old striker wants to join Chelsea.

And that is not all - Chelsea would appear to be at the centre of a seven-club transfer domino line.

Here, we take a look at the chain of transfer that is holding up Higuain's move to west London.

Gelson Martins or Nikola Kalinic - Atletico Madrid to Monaco

Bear with us here, as we start off in Spain and France.

Atletico are beset by financial restrictions and Thierry Henry's Monaco side are reportedly interested in Atleti duo Gelson Martin and Nikola Kalinic.

Why does that impact Chelsea?

Alvaro Morata - Chelsea to Atletico Madrid

The reason that has an impact on Chelsea is because Atletico are waiting to sell one of those players in order to bring Alvaro Morata to the club.

The Blues flop has reportedly agreed terms on a move back to Spain, but it is being held up by Atleti's financial situation and need to get someone out before they can bring someone in.

Gonzalo Higuain - Juventus to Chelsea (via Milan)

Morata's exit would open the door for Chelsea to add to their squad, although they are not concerned too much with having to send a player out to bring a new one in.

Their issue is more that there is a small chain going the other way.

Krzysztof Piatek - Genoa to Milan

Milan are resigned to losing Higuain with Juventus keen to sell to Chelsea, but the Rossoneri hold the cards because they have a season-long loan agreement.

Before they allow Higuain to move back to Juventus, and on to Stamford Bridge, they want a replacement in too.

Step forward Krzysztof Piatek, who is set to make the move from Italian rivals Genoa.

Thankfully, Genoa are not looking for a replacement at this moment in time, so that's where it all ends.

Chelsea's transfer plans for January

With the January transfer window in full swing, football.london want to hear from Chelsea fans on the business they want to see from the club in the first month of 2019 and their view on the season so far under Maurizio Sarri.

Take part by completing our survey below or click here if you cannot see the form.

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