Arsenal continue to battle for the signature of Gonzalo Higuain, despite Real Madrid increasing the asking price to £35 million, especially after losing crucial transfer targets this summer due to a non-aggressive transfer policy.
Arsene Wenger will not be a happy manager, after Manchester City announced the signing of Stevan Jovetic from Fiorentina. The Montenegro international had been on the Gunners radar in this window, but it was City who showed a greater desire to sign the striker from the Italian giants. Wenger has stated the importance of securing a deal for a striker this summer, but is now running out of options to sign one. After Radamel Falcao signing for Monaco, and Jovetic signing for City, the Arsenal board will have to table a concrete offer for Higuain to secure a deal.
Officials at Arsenal will be aware of the recent comments made by Higuain, who suggested that his former Madrid manager Jose Mourinho was interested in signing him at Chelsea. Also, Juventus, who were initially the first club to have shown interest, could re-enter the fray if Arsenal do not show enough intent to sign the player.
Higuain had a difficult term last season, when he played second fiddle to Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the Madrid attack line. The Argentine international has been struggling for form, and made his intentions of leaving the club clear, before receiving indication that he featured in new manager Carlo Ancelotti’s plans.
Theo Walcott along with Olivier Giroud have battled to be the leading striker at Arsenal, after Robin van Persie’s departure last summer. The England international has been performing well, but is still not the preferred option in the centre of attack. The introduction of Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski has helped Walcott, but Wenger needs another world class striker, and Higuain’s situation at Madrid seemd to fit the bill.
It remains to be seen whether the Gunners do spend over £35 million on a player, but they may not have an option if rival clubs keep buying their targets in the window.