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Gattuso: Higuain has never told me he wants to leave

Cape Town - AC Milan manager Gennaro Gattuso insists striker Gonzalo Higuain has not expressed a desire to leave the Italian club, despite rumours of an imminent transfer bid from Chelsea.

The Argentina international, 31, is reportedly being lined up as a replacement for the out-of-favour Alvaro Morata, who appears to be heading for the Stamford Bridge exit.

And, with Higuain having played under Sarri during their time together at Napoli, bookmakers in England have slashed the odds on the former Real Madrid frontman making a move to London in January.

Gattuso has not implicitly ruled out a move for Higuain and admits the striker "has to decide what to do".

"At this moment, I have to repeat the same words: there are many rumours, but Higuain is training well, working with everyone just fine and is at our disposal," Gattuso told reporters.

"We'll see whether he plays or not. He has to decide what to do, how to resolve this issue, but right now he is training with great professionalism. We'll see.

"If he plays, it's because I see him in good shape and relaxed. I agree that after the missed penalty and red card against Juventus, something happened in his head.

"We'll see. As I said, it's not easy for a coach to change the idea of a player, so I have to concentrate on putting out the best line-up for the situation and getting the best out of every player.

"I want to reiterate that Higuain has never told me he wants to leave. I am waiting for that.

"I am not upset. I too was a player for many years, I realise there are moments when we all see things differently and cannot judge how someone else thinks.

"If the glass is half-full or half-empty, it remains the same glass. We'll see what happens. I want to see this Supercoppa, I hope it is a great game for us, but I won't be upset or let down if he goes."

Higuain is currently on loan at Milan until the end of the current campaign, and his parent club, Juventus, are said to be open to a permanent transfer deal.

However, Chelsea may have to adopt the terms of his current deal, which entails an initial fee of £16 million and a further £32 million upon the completion of the transfer.

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