AC Milan boss Gennaro Gattuso claims he has now made peace with Gonzalo Higuain’s potential departure to Chelsea.

Higuain has been linked with a move to the Blues and is expected to make the move to West London later this week.

The 31-year-old was left on the bench for Milan’s Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Juventus in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Gattuso understands the Argentine has to make a professional decision and maintained he will always have respect for the forward.

“There is still nothing done or finalised but Sunday’s training session was one of the worst since I have been here,” he said.

“The team is worried and anxious and the training was not the best. I spoke in my office with Higuain and it is right to leave him out.

“Higuain wasn’t ready to travel with us at this time and we lost an important player who had some difficulties,” Gattuso acknowledged.

“If he does leave, I’m not disappointed. I was a player and I know what happens when you sometimes have people pressing all around you.

“He’s behaved very well with me. It is okay. I accept his decision and retain my respect for him.”