Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuaín is reportedly already back in pre season training on a fitness regime at Madrid after a holiday in Miami.
Notoriously in-accurate Marca claim that those around him have denied all links with Arsenal, and that Madrid have not even received a bid.
However these comments from Jorge Higuaín cause me to think differently; “We have permission [from Madrid] and hopefully we can soon see my son in the Premier League”. I think it’s safe to say that Arsenal have at least made a bid.
A sign of intent?
With the Argentinian forward back in training already, this could mean one of two things:
1. Real Madrid are preparing him for a long season, hoping to hold on to him. With few links to strikers coming to Madrid, this fitness regime could be a sign of intent from Madrid as they look to push him in to more competition with Benzema, therefore causing him to want to stay. Jorge Higuaín says he and his son just want him to go somewhere where he is loved by the fans, so if Higuaín played as the 1st choice, Madrid might still be the right place for him.
2. Higuaín has pushed this fitness scheme through himself, coming back from holiday before pre-season starts for Madrid on July 15th, to keep his fitness levels high so he is eligible for Arsenal’s pre-season tour in Asia, which starts next week.
Of course, both of these are speculation, but I think one of them could be quite close to, or, the truth. Madrid are busy with other business at the minute, bringing in Isco, Carjaval and working on a deal to sign highly rated defensive midfielder Illaramendi.
Can they afford to lose him?
With Madrid’s strikeforce currently containing only Higuaín, Benzema, Morata and Callejon, could the exit of one of their most experienced goalscorers spell trouble for Madrid?
Personally, I can’t see them having trouble replacing Gonzalo. However, in the same way that we bought Giroud (and Podolski to an extent) to replace RVP last summer, Madrid have not done a similar thing. They have not even been linked with another big striker.
With us buying Sanogo, would Arsene think he needed another striker enough to pay £25m+ for him, despite what the fans want? All interesting factors to weigh up.
However lets remain optimistic; nothing’s done till it’s done, and nothing’s off till it’s off.
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