Gonzalo Higuain has struggled to live up to expectations at Chelsea (Getty Images)

Gonzalo Higuain’s loan spell at Chelsea is set to be cut short at the end of the season with reports in Italy stating it is ‘almost certain’ that he will return to Juventus in the summer.

The 31-year-old enjoyed a sensational spell working alongside Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri previously, breaking a Serie A record for goals scored in a season with 36 in 35 games for Napoli in 2015-16.

Sarri was desperate for a reunion with the Argentina international and persuaded Chelsea to sanction a six-month loan for him in January, with the option of a further year and a permanent transfer.



It looks unlikely that Higuain will remain at Stamford Bridge beyond the end of the campaign, however, as he has scored just three times in ten Premier League appearances for the club and 13 games in all competitions.


Higuain’s last goal for Chelsea was against Fulham over a month ago (Getty Images)

Those three strikes have come against already relegated Huddersfield Town and Fulham with Higuain failing to make an impact against higher calibre opponents. He lost his place in the side for Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool with Eden Hazard preferred as a false 9.

The issue for Chelsea is that if Higuain does return to Juventus, they may not be able to replace him in the summer after being banned by Fifa from signing any players over the next two transfer windows in February.

Chelsea have appealed that verdict but are awaiting Fifa’s decision. Olivier Giroud has been Higuain’s understudy over the past few months and has admitted that he has already received offers to leave in the summer when his contract expires.

Higuain endured a similarly unproductive loan spell at AC Milan during the first half of the campaign and is surplus to requirements at Juventus.