Report: Juventus working to terminate Higuain, Khedira contracts

Gonzalo Higuain and Sami Khedira have no part to play in the Andrea Pirlo era.

Juventus are trying to scrap the duo's contracts now rather than wait for both pieces of paperwork to expire in 2021, according to The Guardian's Fabrizio Romano. Talks are ongoing over the payouts due to Higuain and Khedira for the early termination of their deals.

Higuain, 32, scored eight goals over 32 appearances in the 2019-20 Serie A season after spending the previous term on separate loans to AC Milan and Chelsea. He was stripped of the No. 9 jersey upon his return to Juventus last summer and given the No. 21 instead, and was firmly second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala in Maurizio Sarri's strike force.

Khedira, meanwhile, is set to follow Miralem Pjanic and Blaise Matuidi out of the club as Pirlo begins to reconstruct the midfield in Turin. The 33-year-old started only nine matches in the league campaign as he sometimes appeared to struggle with the physical demands of his position. Juventus have already completed the signing of Arthur Melo from Barcelona.

Pirlo was appointed as Juventus' new head coach Aug. 8 despite never managing a game in his post-playing career. The legendary midfielder replaced Sarri, who won the Scudetto but couldn't get Juve beyond the Champions League round-of-16 stage.