In fact, there have reports suggesting that the Spaniard would be part of a swap deal, involving AC Milan's Gonzalo Higuain, who would move to the Stamford Bridge. However, Sarri denied these links in an interview before the game, when asked about Giroud's injury. 

 

"I don't need any new strikers, we have Hazard as well as Morata, we're fine," he concluded. 

 

A clear message from the manager, indicating that the Morata-Higuain swap deal has indeed been scrapped, as had been suggested by various Italian outlets. The Rossoneri management reportedly want to keep hold of their Argentinian star, despite the poor run of performances he experienced for a long period during the first half of the season.