Chelsea are looking at a range of options to strengthen their attack in January, including Gonzalo Higuain and Nabil Fekir, as Alvaro Morata’s Stamford Bridge future looks increasingly bleak.

The club want a new striker and have held talks with AC Milan and Juventus about the possibility of taking over Higuain’s season-long loan from the Turin club, with Morata moving to the San Siro for the rest of the season.

Milan remain interested in midfielder Cesc Fabregas, who is also a target of Monaco, although the Italian club’s Financial Fair Play problems complicate matters.

Allowing Chelsea to take over Higuain’s loan would save Milan money, as Chelsea would have to pay the remaining £8million fee to Juve. Higuain also earns more than Morata’s £140,000-a-week Chelsea wages.

Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso played down the possibility of Higuain joining Chelsea on Friday, but it is understood there will be more talks between Chelsea, Milan and Juve.

Morata has not scored in the Premier League since the start of November and has been out injured. It appears increasingly likely Chelsea are willing to send the Spaniard out on loan or cut their losses on him.