In a stunning move the champions, Juventus have activated the €94.7 million release clause in Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain’s contract and the Serie A’s top goalscorer last season is heading to Turin. The transfer fee paid for the 28-year-old striker is a record for a Serie A club, second only to the €101m fee paid by Real Madrid for Gareth Bale.
Higuain had already agreed contract terms with Juventus that will pay him a €7.5 million per year plus image rights over the next four years.
The shocking signing signals that Paul Pogba is on his way to Manchester United for a world record fee of €120 million.
Napoli fans are furious Higuain has gone to bitter rivals Juventus and they have blamed president Aurelio De Laurentiis for his departure, with fans turning up to chant against ADL at the club’s training base.
Two of the most popular chants are “De Laurentiis is chasing the money” and “whoever doesn’t jump is Juventino.”
I am not sure there was much that ADL could have done to stop the deal once Juventus triggered his release clause. Higuain was not going to renew his contract at Napoli and ADL got top dollar for the striker. If he can take that almost €95 million and three or four top quality players to a squad that finished second in Serie A, Napoli might even be stronger next season than they were last season.
As for Juventus, this is a further sign of intent that they want to win the Scudetto and Champions League next season. Higuain will be Juventus’ fifth signing of the summer after securing Miralem Pjanic, Dani Alves, Medhi Benatia and Marko Pjaca.
Juventus are expected to present Higuain to the media on July 28 and he could possibly make his debut for Juve against West Ham United in London on August 7
