Reports are emerging that not only have Arsenal agreed to pay Gonzalo Higuain £9m-per-year but we’re offering Olivier Giroud as part of the swap deal. Here’s why this simply isn’t true.
Firstly, the reports have come from Di Marzio, which, like most tabloids, isn’t to be trusted 100%. Although, I’m sure there is some truth to the rumour that we’re interested in the Napoli striker. We’ve been keen on him before when he played for Real Madrid but Arsene Wenger, for whatever reason, passed up the chance to sign him for £35m.
Therefore, I can totally believe we have at least looked in the 28-year-old’s direction and maybe even asked the Serie A club what it would take to sell their star player.
What doesn’t add up is the fact that we seem quite sure that we won’t be selling Olivier Giroud. There was a report out just a couple of days ago claiming that we had made this very clear to anyone who inquired about him. Therefore, why would we turn around and offer Oli – arguably one of the best players at the Euros – plus cash (£60m) for Higuain.
Higuain's agent (his brother) has already agreed with Arsenal a wage of €9mln for 5 yrs. Bid to Napoli not officially done yet but expected
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) July 12, 2016
Napoli unlikely will accept the offer of 60mln + Giroud: they want all cash, 70mln + 8mln easy bonus. #Arsenal
— Emanuele Giulianelli (@EmaGiulianelli) July 12, 2016
The latter parts of the story come from journalist, Emanuele Giulianelli, and, with all due respect, he’s wrong more often than he’s right.
I can, however, fully believe that Napoli aren’t interested in a player + cash deal, and purely want £70m.
Do I see us signing Higuain? Unfortunately not.