CHELSEA boss Maurizio Sarri is willing to pay "up to £50million" for Cherries striker Callum Wilson if he cannot sign Gonzalo Higuain, according to Sky Sports.

Sky claims Sarri remains keen on bringing Argentine Higuain to the London club, but would "turn his attention" to Wilson as an alternative option.

The Cherries striker has scored 10 goals in 23 matches this season and netted on his England debut against the United States in November.

Higuain is currently on loan at AC Milan from Juventus and Chelsea chief executive Marina Granovskaia is unconvinced the 31-year-old is the answer to their goalscoring problems, according to Sky in Italy.

Last month, Chelsea assistant manager Gianfranco Zola revealed the club's interest in Wilson.

However, Eddie Howe has consistently said the 26-year-old is not for sale.

The Cherries boss spoke to the former Chelsea star when the teams met in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals in December.

Asked about Zola’s comments, Howe said: “I spoke to Gianfranco afterwards and yeah we had a little chat about that situation.

"But Gianfranco is an incredible person and a really nice guy. And you know, Callum from our perspective is a huge part of what we are doing here."

Wilson signed a four-year contract with the Dorset club last summer.

Since joining from home town club Coventry, Wilson has scored 53 goals in 138 appearances despite two anterior cruciate ligament ruptures.