Football news - Paper Round: Chelsea close in on Gonzalo Higuain switch

Chelsea are closing in on a deal for AC Milan striker, Gonzalo Higuain, The Sun reports. The paper suggests that Maurizio Sarri’s club will bring in the 31-year-old Argentina striker on loan for the rest of the season, with an option to buy the player outright from Juventus. There is also an option to loan the player for next season, too.

Paper Round’s view: Signing the 31-year-old outright is a risk for Chelsea, who have to count on his form and his fitness lasting into the end of his career. A loan for the rest of the season and for one more year allows them the chance to have the player for as long as they need him, plus gives them time to find a long-term option.

One player who could be leaving Stamford Bridge as Higuain arrives is Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi. Bayern Munich have confirmed that they are in talks with the club over the 18-year-old winger, and most recently had a £35 million bid rejected. The Mirror report that no deal has yet been agreed over the player, who has a contract until 2020 at Stamford Bridge.

Paper Round’s view: Hudson-Odoi has reportedly had his head turned by the success of Jadon Sancho with Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga. The chance to play regularly in top-flight football with one of the best teams in Europe, who need new talent on the wings, is too hard to turn down.

After the injury to Harry Kane suffered against Manchester United, there is a chance that Spurs could sign a new striker, report the Telegraph. Fernando Llorente will not be allowed to leave, but Mauricio Pochettino has around £50 million to spend. The club have identified Divock Origi at Liverpool, Jay Rodriguez at West Brom, and Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen to take up a role in support of Kane for the long term.

Paper Round’s view: Rodriguez has proven his fitness after a long time out, while Bowen has potential. Origi however could be the best option, with Premier League experience and a contract with 18 months left on it being a factor that makes him affordable and the right age profile for the long term. He can also provide support on the wings when Kane returns.

Arsenal could sign Bayern Munich’s playmaker James Rodriguez. The Colombian international is in his second year on loan in Germany from Real Madrid, but his future is far from certain. Hasan Salihamidzic of Bayern said: “We will look at the second half of the season and we will draw the right conclusions.” The Independent believe Arsenal could take over his loan for £3 million until the end of the season.

Paper Round’s view: Arsenal could pick up a bargain for the rest of the season, if Rodriguez really would be available for just £3 million. If he proved himself for the rest of the year then Real would accommodate letting him go. The problem for Unai Emery is that while he could be a direct replacement for Aaron Ramsey, it would highlight the need to move Mesut Ozil on to someone who could afford his wages.