Chelsea have been slapped with a two-window transfer ban for the signing of young foreign players which they have appealed against. That, however, has failed.
The club are now considering whether to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport leaving their transfer plans in limbo.
Although they could have a temporary solution – by making two loan moves permanent.
As part of the loan deal with Juventus, Chelsea negotiated the option to buy Higuain for £31.3million or to extend his loan deal until June 2020 for £15.6million.
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The striker, 31, didn’t set the world alight at Stamford Bridge but a loophole in the laws – due to Higuain already being registered with the club – means that deal can still be done.
The same stands for Mateo Kovacic, too. He’s on loan from Real Madrid and could be signed in the summer if Chelsea wish.
The latter seems even more likely given Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be ruled out for 12 months fter rupturing an Achilles tendon during a friendly in America this week.
One man who will join this summer is Christian Pulisic, whose deal was wrapped up in January before the transfer ban was handed out.
David Luiz, meanwhile, last week signed a new two-year contract to stay put.
If Chelsea lawyer can’t overturn the transfer ban, it’s likely a host of the club’s loan players will be called back and told their futures are at Stamford Bridge.
The likes of Reece James, Mason Mount and Tammy Abraham are among the most likely to be given a chance.
But striker Alvaro Morata, on loan at Atletico Madrid, has said he does not want to return to Chelsea. He said this week: “I want to be here, I’m going to do everything I can to continue playing here.”
