Chelsea pass on €100m package deal for Rugani and Higuain — reports

The planets aligned over Nice on Saturday. Roman Abramovich, Marina Granovskaia, Maurizio Sarri and Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici were all in the same place at the same time, in part for the preseason friendly (Abramovich was confirmed to be in attendance) and in part to hash out some sort of a deal, apparently.

The supposed transfer summit was about center back Daniele Rugani, whom Chelsea might want but Juve don’t want to sell, and center forward Gonzalo Higuain, whom Chelsea do not really want but Juve very much want to sell. On Friday it was reported that the Old Lady were willing to consider a package deal — €100m for both.

Saturday was the day the parties were going to hammer out a deal. Only, they didn’t, according to reports from Italy.

So that’s it? Everyone grows wings and flies or sails away? The deal is dead and Rugani stays put?

Not so fast, says the man who’s like a dog with a bone when it comes to Chelsea’s Italian shopping trips, Alfredo Pedullà. He says Chelsea are going to have a good think about it overnight and meet again on Sunday, 10am sharp.

Great...

(AC Milan are watching, waiting because if Chelsea don’t take Higuain, then Milan will woo Juventus for a loan. If Chelsea do take Higuain, then Milan could make a strong move for Morata. It’s all just part of the uncertainty that Sarri hinted at after Saturday’s game.)