Chelsea FC made EUR40m bid for Gonzalo Higuain - report

Chelsea failed with a €40million bid for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain earlier this week, according to reports in Spain.

According to Marca, Blues boss Andre Villas-Boas was keen on luring Higuain to Stamford Bridge before the January transfer window closed, only for Los Blancos coach Jose Mourinho to stop a move from going through.

According to Thursday's report, Chelsea will again look to sign the 24-year-old when the transfer window reopens at the end of the season.

Higuain, who has also been linked with Arsenal and Juventus in recent weeks, still has more than four years left on his contract at the Bernabeu, but despite being in good form is not a guaranteed starter under Mourinho.

The Argentina international's father and agent, Jorge Higuain, had last month refused to rule out a move away from the Spanish capital before the winter transfer window closed.

And last month another Spanish publication, AS, had reported that an agent acting on behalf of Chelsea had held talks with Higuain Snr over a possible move to west London.

Jorge had insisted his son knew nothing about Madrid wanting to sell him, but admitted he believed Chelsea were a "great club" which would provide Gonzalo with "huge opportunities."

"If someone told us that we are no longer welcome [at Madrid], I am sure that the offers would not be bad," he added.