Chelsea line up Spanish striker as Moreno possible alternative to Higuain

Chelsea are keen on Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno.

Maurizio Sarri is considering entering the market for a new striker this month amid doubts over Alvaro Morata’s future.

AC Milan’s on-loan Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuain is Sarri’s preferred target but Moreno and Genoa’s Krzystof Piatek are also high on his list.

Spaniard Moreno, 26, has scored 26 goals in 78 appearances for Villarreal since joining from Espanyol, where he scored 39 goals in 118 games.

Sarri is also keen to bring in a replacement for Cesc Fabregas, who is set to join Monaco.

With Ruben Loftus-Cheek struggling with a back injury, Blues boss Sarri believes Fabregas’ departure will mean a midfielder needs to be signed.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Sarri refused to comment on reports Cagliari’s Nicolo Barella has been lined up to take Fabregas’ place in the squad.

But he added: “If Cesc goes of course we need a replacement.

“Now with the midfielders we are in trouble I think, because I don’t know at the moment the situation of Loftus – if the situation is serious or not.

“Loftus of course is out now. We need to understand the situation with his back because in the last month he was in trouble.”