Chelsea transfer news: Gonzalo Higuain won't make debut against Tottenham, Maurizio Sarri confirms
The Blues host Tottenham in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge on Thursday
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Chelsea are closing in on the signing of Gonzalo Higuain - but the Argentine striker won't be eligible to make his debut against Tottenham on Thursday.
The Blues host Tottenham in their Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge, bidding to overturn a 1-0 deficit to reach the February 24 final.
They had to register Higuain by noon on Wednesday but despite the deal being close to completion the club missed the deadline.
"They're a few hours into signing a contract today," manager Maurizio Sarri confirmed in his pre-match press conference but was pessimistic of his newest player being able to play on Thursday.
"It's impossible. I don't know because I have to speak to the doctor.," he added. "I haven't seen him before. I think for tomorrow it's impossible."
Higuain scored 36 goals in 35 Serie A games in his one season under Sarri at Napoli but has managed only one in his last 12 appearances while on loan at AC Milan.
"We hope he'll bring goals, he'll start scoring for us," Sarri added. "It's very difficult in January to find one of the most important strikers in the world.
"So I think the club is working very well because it's not easy to get a new striker."
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