ATLETICO MADRID
60 million + Giroud: Arsenal's offer for Napoli's Higuain
Wenger and the Gunners are trying to convince the Argentine striker to make the move to London from Napoli, Atletico Madrid also in the chasing pack for his servicesCopa del Rey 2017 last 16 draw: live online
Arsenal are going all out to sign Gonzalo Higuaín. Italian paper La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported the Gunners are wiling to part with 60 million euro and Olivier Giroud to secure the Argentine striker's signature.
De Laurentiis has rejected all offers for last season's Serie A top scorer, including that of fellow-favourites Atletico Madrid to sign the Naples scoring sensation. The Napoli president wants €94M for their most prized asset who came so agonizingly close to winning the Scudetta for Napoli. Arsenal's plan is to include Olivier Giroud in the deal with €60M in cash to boot.
Giroud is 29 and has a market value of €25M according to Transfermarkt. The Frenchman was a starter in the France 2016 team, scoring 3 goals, surpassed only by his compatriot Antoine Griezmann who got 6. Last season Giroud scored 24 goals in 53 matches for Arsenal.
Napoli won't sell 'El Pipita' for less then 94 million
Andrea Berta, Atlético Madrid's sporting director, met his Napoli counterpart Cristiano Giuntoli, according to reports in the Italian media, but the southern Italian club has refused to negotiate on offers less than the stated €94M price-tag. The rojiblancos are looking for a goalscorer and Mauro Icardi's wife and agent Wanda Nara has stated that he doesn't feel valued at Inter, opening the door for ex-Inter Milan man Diego Simeone.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also maintains that Juventus have fingered Alexis Sanchez as a replacement for Morata, but their initial offer of less than €30M has led to peals of laughter audible across Europe.