AC Milan head coach Gennaro Gattuso wants to keep hold of striker Gonzalo Higuain in the January transfer window.

The Argentine forward joined the Rossoneri in the summer on a season-long loan deal from Juventus with an option to buy at the end of the campaign.

Premier League side Chelsea, managed by Higuain’s former Napoli boss Mauricio Sarri, have been tipped to make a move for the forward in the winter window.

Higuain has scored six goals in 15 Serie A games so far for Milan and Gattuso hopes the 31-year-old remains at the San Siro, but he accepts the forward may well be tempted by a reunion with Sarri and the chance to test himself in the Premier League.

“When a player makes up his mind it becomes hard to convince them otherwise,” said Gattuso.

“I have a relationship with him that features great honesty – we say things to one another’s face.

“At the moment, he’s our player and we’re holding on tightly to him. “I don’t know what will happen. If it was up to me, I’d keep him at my house and feed him my dinner.”

Milan’s next Serie A fixture is a trip to Genoa on January 21 when the Italian top flight resumes after the winter break.

A win for the Rossoneri is available at 2.15, Genoa are 3.60 and a draw is 3.30.

Milan are currently fifth in Serie A with 31 points from 19 games, one point behind Lazio in the battle for Champions League qualification.