According to reports from The Express this morning, Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain is set to snub interest from the Premier League by signing an improved contract at Napoli.
The 27 year-old boasts a prolific return of 217 goals in 459 appearances throughout his spells with River Plate, Real Madrid, Napoli and the Argentine national team – including 29 goals for Partenopei across all competitions last season.
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Arsenal and Manchester United have both been strongly linked with the Albiceleste front-man this summer, the former hoping to find competition for Oliver Giroud and the latter needing a replacement for now-Fenerbahce striker Robin van Persie, whilst The Express also moot Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City as potential suitors.
But Napoli have consistently insisted any interested party will have to activate Higuain’s £67million release clause, despite the striker informing club president Aurelio De Laurentiis that he wants to leave following the Naples outfit’s failure to qualify for the Champions League at the end of last season.
And according to The Express, who cite Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, Higuain is now set to withdraw his exit demands by agreeing a new deal with Napoli, snubbing Premier League interest in the process.
Reports of a new contract first surfaced over the weekend via Sky Sport Italia. It’s believed to include a significant pay rise, whilst extending his Stadio San Paolo stay until 2019.