Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that Gonzalo Higuain’s future lies at Real Madrid amid reports that the Argentine striker is set for Italian side Napoli.
Yesterday it was reported by Corriere Dello Sport that Madrid and Napoli had agreed a €35million deal for Higuain, a valuation that still falls €5million short of the Spanish side’s estimation, and there was only the issue of the player’s image rights to be negotiated.
Carlo says no to Napoli
Carlo Ancelotti himself was quick to quash any rumour surrounding a done deal. Ancelotti brought Higuain on at half time in his first game as the Galactico’s manager, a 6-0 win over Football League side Bournemouth. The Argentine was introduced at the break and took just 2 minutes to net his first goal under Ancelotti.
The boss praised the forward after the game:
'I think that now we have to speak about Higuain as a Real Madrid player. He is a fantastic player and a fantastic striker who took one minute to score tonight.” he said.
'I spoke to him this week. He is a Real Madrid player and until we have news we have to consider him as a Real Madrid player and I would like him to stay with us.”
Not-so-speedy Gonzalo
Yet, a number of other reports have claimed that Higuain’s move to Napoli could have gone ahead – were it not for the striker to stall on the deal, instead holding out for a move to England with Arsenal.
Sources claim that Higuain asked for “48 hours to think” about his future despite a fee with Napoli apparently agreed.
The 25-year-old would still prefer a move to the Emirates after the frustration of the negotiations running stale. Locked in talks with Arsenal, Madrid proceeded to move the wanted sum from £23million to £27million, then to £32million, making Arsenal baulk at the extra funds.
These funds, however, would much rather be spent on Luis Suarez.
Top target Luis
Suarez’s apparent £40million buyout clause takes priority in the eyes of Arsene Wenger, meaning the pricey Higuain is now likely to miss out on his dream deal.
Yet with Suarez’s open criticism of daily life in England leaving many people with the opinion that he would rather a move abroad, Real Madrid themselves could come in with a bid for the Liverpool star which he could not refuse. Should Higuain move to Napoli then, both top targets could have been missed.
The act of splitting the funds between Higuain and Suarez has proved to be not as easy as it looks. Suarez takes priority but would prefer a move abroad and would cost more. Whereas Higuain is desperate for a move to London and would cost slightly less.
Have faith that at some point, Arsenal will sign a player.
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