Arsenal have been put on high alert to the availability of Gonzalo Higuain after the strikers agent revealed he will not sign a new contract at Napoli.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with the Argentinian forward with options running out for a world-class player to reignite the attacking line-up this season.
Higuain has been a massive hit at in Serie A this season, wiping away any competition for the Golden Boot with 36 goals and two assists to his name in just one campaign.
And with just two years left to run on his current contract, it’s been made official that the 28-year-old will not be playing football at Napoli for long.
Speaking to local radio show Closs Continental his brother, Nicolas Higuain, who also acts as his agent, revealed that failed targets have left the former Real Madrid star fed up.
This is the situation, the president is asking for the clause to be paid to let go of Gonzalo, and we have the right to refuse to renew.
We arrived at Napoli with the promise of a successful project, playing in the Champions League and winning the Scudetto, with improved facilities and a desire to grow.
It wasn’t right of the club to ignore those commitments.
Despite topping the goalscoring charts by a clear gap of 17 strikes, Higuain looks to of had enough of carrying the team, and failure to recruit fellow top-level players has not helped.
Since his big money move to Napoli, he’s had to sit through two managerial changes and has failed to get his hands on a league title, with Juventus leaving them in second place this season.
It’s reported that Higuain currently has a €90m buy-out clause in his contract so anyone that wants to act now will be forced to cough up for a player that seems unsettled.
Aurelio De Laurentiis has every right to demand the clause in his contract be paid, but my brother and I have decided not to accept a renewal.
For now we’ll continue to abide by the contract, after that I don’t know what will happen, whether a club will be able to buy him or not.
We have a contract with Napoli and as a great professional, Gonzalo will continue to respect it. He’ll continue to train correctly and give his all.
But it absolutely won’t be renewed if things stay this way.
Due to the heavy price tag at this current stage, clubs like Arsenal who were in the hunt for him back in 2013 may be put off by paying over £72m plus his large wage bill.
Arsenal are expected to make a number of sales this summer whilst trying to balance out the squad with new arrivals, and now could be the time for Wenger to make a big statement to his rivals.
Higuain is in the peak of his career and with very limited options in the market on his level this could be the only chance for the Gunners to grab a player who can promise 20+ goals a season.
Arsenal have also been linked to Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as Wenger increases his interest after missing out on Leicester’s Jamie Vardy.
Want more Arsenal news like this? Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!