In the mad transfer saga that has been Higuain to Arsenal, a story that has been ongoing for the past few years at least, you won’t be entirely shocked to hear that there is yet another development to the case.
In the last few days rumours have broken from the Italian media that Arsenal have agreed a deal with Napoli to see the transfer of their star striker Gonzalo Higuain to Arsenal, in what will surely be one of the biggest moves of the summer. All Arsenal rumours however should be taken with a pinch of salt and if the latest developments are anything to go by, then perhaps Arsenal fans have gotten ahead of themselves a little too quickly once again.
Speaking at the club’s training site, Napoli’s club’s head of communications, Nicola Lombardo has issued a statement on the future of star striker and Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain.
“Gonzalo never said he wanted to leave. Juventus have never asked for him and [President] Aurelio De Laurentiis does not want to sell him. We are talking about rumours that are fuelled by the press, who write story upon story. But he will be here in Dimaro to start pre-season on July 25th”
Now for all those that want a glimmer of hope in this deal to be true, you could point out that Lombardo mentions that Juventus haven’t inquired about the striker, but has no mention of where Arsenal stand in all these media reports. But for those who are taking all rumours now with a side of caution, I think this suggests that Napoli have no interest in selling the player and that Higuain has no real intention to leave.
Lombardo’s statement may not hold the truth behind what is going on in the background, but if the recent rumours are to be believed then you will have to decide whether to believe that Arsenal are willing to activate Higuain’s ridiculously high release clause ahead of Juventus, or that Arsenal are willing to offer €50 million plus Giroud for the Napoli star.
Personally I think both rumours are ridiculous, as I can’t see Wenger willing to pay such a high release clause for a player and I don’t think it would be wise to see Olivier Giroud to leave the club in a part exchange deal. Therefore as desperate as the Gunners are for a striker, I really do hope that Higuain is not going to be our man if it is going to cost Arsenal so dearly.
By AH