According to reports from The Metro this morning, Arsenal have been given the ‘green light’ to begin discussions with Napoli regarding a summer move for their talismanic centre-forward Gonzalo Higuain.
The Gunners came close to signing the Argentina international from Real Madrid in summer 2013 until a rather lengthy dispute over his valuation, which paved the way for a move to Serie A instead.
The 27 year-old has gone on to score 46 goals in 87 appearances for the Naples outfit across all competitions but is widely expected to leave this summer if Rafa Benitez’s side fail to qualify for the Champions League. They need to close a seven-point deficit on 3rd-place Roma in just eight games.
The Metro have mooted a fee of £28.9million – but Arsenal are by no means his only suitors. Fellow Premier League side Liverpool were strongly linked with the striker in January, as reported by The Independent during the winter transfer window, and their long-term interest could complicate any potential Emirates deal.