Chelsea chase this Milan striker to replace misfiring forwards.

Maurizio Sarri led Chelsea have been handed a big boost in their pursuit of AC Milan striker Gonzalo Higuain.

According to Italian news portal Football Italia, they claim that the Blues have a free run to sign the Argentine international star after seven-time European champions AC Milan opted against the idea of making his loan deal permanent next summer.

The player started his AC Milan career with six goals in his first seven games for the San Siro giants only for his form to nosedive.

The Argentine international has fallen out of favour with head coach Gennaro Gattuso after he found the back of the net just once in the last nine games.

• Why Chelsea are without a permanent captain so far

The former Real Madrid star is on a season-long loan deal at AC Milan from parent club Juventus.

Milan paid £16m for the loan deal with the option of making it permanent for £32m but they have decided to exercise it thus paving the way for Chelsea.

The West London club were linked with a move for him in the summer when Maurizio Sari was appointed the new Chelsea manager.

Higuain enjoyed a good working relationship under Sarri during their one season together.

He scored 36 Serie A goals in 35 matches during the 2015/16 season.