After a frantic last few days, it appears the Gonzalo Higuain to Arsenal deal is back on despite strong rumours linking the Argentina international to Juventus, with Napoli’s radio station Radio Kiss Kiss confirming a cash plus Olivier Giroud deal is well and truly on (via Daily Star).
It seemed Arsenal had missed out on yet another striking target after Juve reportedly activated the strikers £75million release clause, however Napoli’s Napoli’s president Eduardo De Laurentiis confirmed this was not the case and they will not sell Pipita to Juventus – a rival Serie A club (via Repubblica).
“Not at Juve, you must trust, there is no truth in this story,” he said. “We will never sell Pipita to Juventus, it’s all great nonsense”
Strong rumours have since surfaced that Arsenal’s pursuit of the 36-goal striker is very much back on, Napoli’s official radio station Radio Kiss Kiss have added further fuel to the fire after they announced Higuain will be joining the Gunners in a €50m deal with Olivier Giroud heading the other way.
“At the moment the rumour to Juve is true, but I am certain that in the end Pipita will leave Napoli to go abroad,” presenter Francesco Marciano said.
“He will almost certainly join Arsenal.
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“For now the Gunners are offering £41.8m plus Giroud.
“Arsenal are trying to free up funds by selling players so they can increase the economic part of the offer.”
In what is an incredibly ruthless move from Arsene Wenger, it will represent a huge shift in ambition in the transfer market especially as this rumour is gaining some momentum in Italy.
Giroud has endured a turbulent time in north London, but is clearly a class centre forward especially after he has become so integral to the way Arsenal plays. He could have suited playing alongside Higuain or offering a different option from the bench, but it is likely the player himself would want to move on and not play in somebody else’s shadow.
Ideally Arsenal should not be losing Giroud considering the lack of depth the Gunners have up front, however should Wenger finally get the top class striker we have been craving for years and it comes at the expense of the Frenchman, so be it.
More will become clear over the next few days. Stay tuned Gooners.
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