Arsenal will now chase down Alexandre Lacazette as their number one choice for a striker this summer, after talks for Gonzalo Higuain came to an abrupt halt.
The news is coming from the reliable Elliot Richardson, President of Dugout TV, who has revealed the reported £75m asking price was too much for Arsenal to handle.
We know this sounds like another twist in an ever-frustrating summer window for the Gunners, but this time it looks to be true with Wenger choosing long-term potential over short-term success.
There’s no doubt that Higuain would have added much-needed goals to a side that must pick up silverware in 2016/17, but at 28 years old he only has two years at peak level remaining.
Instead, 24-year-old Lacazette will now top Wenger’s wish-list with a more attractive price tag of £45m being just one factor to separate the two strikers.
AFC will not meet Napoli asking price for Higuain. Now Lacazette most likely option.
— Elliot Richardson (@ElliotR1971) July 18, 2016
Despite it seeming like disappointing news for the fans that were desperate to see Higuain make the switch to the Emirates, we can find just as many positives over Lacazette.
This is a man who finished second behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the Ligue 1 goalscoring charts whilst playing for a Lyon side that quite frankly have been poor in recent seasons.
The French international has been carrying the French outfit through the season and another year of no Champions League football will take its toll on both the forward and his agent.
And although he may have missed out on a spot in the France squad this summer, the competitive friendship he shares with Olivier Giroud will work wonders for our options up top.
His hunger to achieve success is overwhelming, and given he’s not as well-known he won’t come with as much pressure on his shoulders, something that is majorly important at Arsenal.
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