Reports out of Italy suggest that Arsenal are ready to make an offer of €60 million plus Olivier Giroud for Napoli’s Gonzalo Higuain in one of the blockbuster moves of the summer. The total transfer value and cash involved would make Higuain’s, Arsenal’s record signing.
According to Italian football journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, “Higuain’s agent (his brother) has already agreed peersonal terms with Arsenal, £7.6 million a year for five years, for the 28-year-old Argentina striker.
Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis has already rejected a €50 million offer from Atletico Madrid for Serie A’s top striker last season, but could be intrigued by the idea of a player exchange.
Giroud would give the Neapolitans an instant replacement for Higuain, and the large transfer sum could allow them to reinforce other areas of the pitch.
Interestingly, one person who is open to the move is Giroud’s agent Mickael Manuello who told Radio CRC:
“At the moment, Giroud is an Arsenal player.”
“If he was asked to leave, then we would evaluate our options.
“There is no fear in Olivier possibly going to Napoli, it is a magnificent city.
“In Campania, my client could lead a wonderful life, not to mention that the type of game orchestrated by Napoli coach [Maurizio] Sarri could enhance the quality of a centre-forward like him.”
Despite scoring 82 goals in 188 appearances for the Gunners, Giroud has never been able to shake of criticism that he is not an elite level striker. Something that Arsenal have been lacking since Robin van Perise was sold to Manchester United.
Coincidentally, that is the knock on Higuain who is developing a reputation of not scoring in big moments. Over the last three summers, Higuain has missed great chances for Argentina in the World Cup and Copa America finals. Chances that he should have buried. Games that Argentina went on to lose.
What do you think Arsenal fans about Gonzalo Higuain? Would he be a good signing?
