Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain has confirmed that he will join Milan. “Leonardo convinced me…”
Higuain arrived in Milan on Wednesday night ahead of a medical the following morning, and the Argentine was greeted by Rossoneri fans en masse as he checked into the Westin Palace hotel.
“First I’ll sign and then I’ll talk. I’ll have my medical tomorrow and then I hope to sign,” he told reporters.
“I’m starting a new adventure. I wish to greet to all the [Milan] fans and also the Juventus ones who gave me so much love.
“Leonardo convinced me. I’ve already talked to Gattuso. I’m here to go as far as possible.”
The 30-year-old, who scored 55 goals in 105 games for Juve, should join the Diavolo on an €18m loan with a €36m option to buy next summer.
He is also followed to San Siro by Mattia Caldara, who swapped clubs with fellow defender Leonardo Bonucci who returns to Juve after his brief stint at Milan.
Higuain became the third most expensive player of all-time in 2016 when Juventus forked out the £75.3million required to buy him out of his Napoli contract. Few doubted it was a savvy move. The season before, Higuain notched 36 league goals in 35 games for Napoli.
Two years and 55 goals in 105 games for Juventus later, the 30-year-old is deemed surplus to requirements. Harsh, perhaps. But that’s what happens when Cristiano Ronaldo rocks up to take your place.
Chelsea were heavily linked with a permanent move for Higuain but the ex-Real Madrid striker has opted to stay in Italy with AC Milan on a try-before-you-buy deal. After a season-long loan, the Rossoneri have the option of paying £32million next summer, at which point there would still be two years left on the initial contract he signed with Juventus.