Italian radio station confirms Higuain to Arsenal?
I don’t need to tell you that this is a report that you should be taking with a pinch of salt, but according to Italian Radio Station ‘Radio Kiss Kiss’, which is Napoli’s official radio network, it has been confirmed that Gonzalo Higuain will be transferring from Naples to North London this summer.
Despite interest from fellow Serie A side Juventus, Napoli would prefer their main man upfront to move on abroad this summer, with the Gunners paving the way for the Argentinian’s transfer.
The report stated the following: “According to Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, the official radio station of the Neapolitan club, the rumours about Juventus are true, but in the end Pipita will go abroad.
Arsenal will be the next team of the former Real Madrid player: the Gunners, who have put on the plate 50 million Euros plus the card of French striker Olivier Giroud, are looking to make some cash with sales in order to increase the economic part of ‘offering’.”
It is a big statement to make and we have heard this kind of story all before, however it is the latest in developments surrounding the Higuain to Arsenal transfer saga and so it raises a few eyebrows.
Personally I think €50 million plus Olivier Giroud is a ridiculous move that Arsenal should definitely NOT be making if this is true. Arsenal may be very desperate to sign a striker this summer but I cannot stress enough how unfavourable to Arsenal this deal seems be.
First of all, it would be ridiculous for Arsenal to offer €50 million for a 29 year old striker, especially when you consider how petty Wenger and co were surrounding the bid for a much younger and more deadly Luis Suarez a few years back. Why spend that amount on a player we are going to have the best out of (that’s if he adapts instantly) for just a few seasons.
Secondly if Wenger is willing to spend €50 million on a striker, why not go for a player that is younger, perhaps two strikers, or even add an additional €10 million and bid for a player like Aubameyang?
Thirdly putting Olivier Giroud as part of the deal doesn’t solve anything for us. One of the biggest issues is not having quality players available who can offer something different upfront when plan A isn’t working, or when there is a shortage of strikers due to fitness or suspension. Giroud may cause frustrations to us all at the worst of times, but selling him is not the way to improve the striker situation at Arsenal. The only way the sale of Giroud at this time would be a positive aspect would be if Wenger is planning to bring in more than just Higuain, but we all know there is no guarantees there.
I really do hope this is just another silly rumour to add to the tale because as much as we may want Higuain or any other top class striker for that matter, doing a deal like this is not beneficial for Arsenal come the start of the season, unless further additions are anticipated afterwards.
By AH