Higuain heads to Milan as Bonucci returns to Juve

Gonzalo Higuain and Mattia Caldara have joined AC Milan, with Leonardo Bonucci heading in the opposite direction to re-sign for Juventus.

Argentina striker Higuain, 30, was an Italian record transfer to Turin in July 2016 when Juve paid Napoli 90 million euros (£77million) for his services.

He played alongside Bonucci as the Bianconeri won a sixth straight Serie A title thanks in part to Higuain’s 24 goals. Bonucci then departed for Milan last summer in a shock 42m euro (£35m) transfer.

Beset by spiralling financial problems and poor results on the pitch, however, the Rossoneri failed to qualify for the Champions League last term, convincing a disillusioned Bonucci, 31, to opt to push for a return to Juve, with Higuain and young Italy defender Caldara chosen to act as makeweights.

Milan announced on Thursday night that Higuain had moved to San Siro on an initial “costly” loan deal, while Caldara, 24, has agreed a five-year deal with Gennaro Gattuso’s side.

Juve soon confirmed the capture of Bonucci, a player who made 319 appearances across his original seven campaigns in Bianconero, winning the Scudetto six times and the Coppa Italia three times.