Report: Chelsea Want to Sign a Striker in January to Replace Alvaro Morata

Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri reportedly does not think Alvaro Morata will be a long-term success with the Blues and wants to sign a new striker in January.

Morata has struggled to impress since arriving from Real Madrid in 2017, and Sarri wishes to cut his losses as soon as possible.

According to Duncan Wright of The Sun, Chelsea are drawing up a list of targets, as the Blues search for a striker that can deliver goals and trophies.

Per Wright, Chelsea have previously looked at the possibility of purchasing a No. 9, with Robert Lewandowski and Gonzalo Higuain reportedly linked in the past.

Sarri worked with Higuain at Napoli and has lauded the Argentina striker for his abilities.

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Speaking to Corriere dello Sport (h/t Metro), Sarri said he missed working with the player after he was asked if he wanted to sign him for Chelsea last summer.

Sarri said:

"Whatever response I give will be considered wrong and put words into my mouth.

"All I can say is that I feel Gonzalo left Napoli too soon. If he had stayed for another season, I think we could've been in a condition to win.

"Higuain was a part of the fantastic mechanism we created, we understood each other so well.

"It was perfect synchronicity and the regrets will probably stick with us.

"I miss Higuain a great deal. I miss him because he'll keep scoring goals until the day he dies. He is a goal machine, a systematic and automatic jackpot."

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Morata is a vastly talented forward, but he's an individual that struggles with his confidence at times.

The Spaniard lost his place in the Juventus starting XI before departing for Real Madrid and failed to make an impression to convince Los Blancos president Florentino Perez to keep him.

Eden Hazard has been Chelsea's primary goal threat this season, and Morata lacks the freedom to shine under Sarri.

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The Italian coach would love a striker who consistently found the back of the net, allowing his attacking midfielders to play the creative game he tactically prefers.

Higuain would fit the bill, but it's unlikely Chelsea would be able to gain his signature in the winter transfer window from Juventus, with the attacker currently on loan at AC Milan.

The 30-year-old has found the back of the net six times in seven appearances in La Liga and Europe this term, as he continues to be a predator of the highest order at the San Siro.