Arsenal are preparing an offer of €60-65m plus Olivier Giroud for Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain, but Juventus could be the surprise third party.
The Pipita is in a particular situation, as the famous €94m buy-out clause in his contract expired on June 30, and president Aurelio De Laurentiis is no longer compelled to accept any offer at all if he doesn't want to.
Arsenal are preparing an offer of €60-65m plus Olivier Giroud for Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain, but Juventus could be the surprise third party.
The Pipita is in a particular situation, as the famous €94m buy-out clause in his contract expired on June 30, and president Aurelio De Laurentiis is no longer compelled to accept any offer at all if he doesn't want to.
At the same time, the Argentine's agent recently suggested that Higuain would not be renewing his contract, currently due to expire in 2018, and De Laurentiis must be careful not to be forced into a cheaper sale next summer, or worse yet a free transfer the year after that.
It therefore stands to reason that offers should still be coming in, such as the one presented by Arsenal.
Media in Italy and England alike suggest that the Gunners will offer a cash payment of €60-65m along with French striker Giroud in exchange for Higuain.
The deal would allow Napoli to face the remainder of the transfer window already in possession of a new striker and with a large cash surplus to spend.
La Gazzetta dello Sport also reports that Juventus are interested in a move for the 28-year-old. They do not intend to compete directly with Arsenal, as they are aware that De Laurentiis would prefer selling the player to the Premier League.
Still, they are keeping in touch with the player's agent and father, hopeful that Higuain may at some stage request a move to Juventus himself.