Chelsea Transfer News: Latest on Gonzalo Higuain Amid Atletico Madrid Rumours
Atletico Madrid are reportedly ready to move for Chelsea and Liverpool transfer target Gonzalo Higuain this summer, as Diego Simeone seeks to bolster his attacking options.
That’s according to Isaac Suarez of Marca (translated by Charlie Thomas), who has stated the capital club view the Argentina striker as the man to add the “finishing touch” in pursuit of their maiden UEFA Champions League win; Atletico have lost out to Higuain’s former club and rivals Real Madrid in two finals in three seasons.
As reported by James Benson of the Daily Express, the Blues have been linked with the Napoli man, too, as well as the Reds, with incoming head coach Antonio Conte said to been on partnering him up front with Diego Costa.
If Atletico are indeed seeking to sign a player that’ll add the “finishing touch” to their play, Higuain is one of the standout candidates in world football. These clips illustrate why:
While often considered a good striker during his time with Los Blancos and the Partenopei, the 28-year-old made the jump into the world-class bracket in 2015-16.
Higuain’s goals were the driving force behind a brilliant campaign for Napoli, as they kept in touch with eventual Serie A winners Juventus for long spells. The striker netted an incredible 36 goals in 35 games, eluding defenders with his exceptional movement and using his technical qualities to score a variety of goals.
As these numbers from WhoScored.com show, Higuain excels in the penalty area, consistently showcasing razor-sharp predatory instincts:
Napoli are a massive club and a team that are moving in the right direction under Maurizio Sarri with their No. 9 at the point of the attack. Nevertheless, given his stock is extremely high and he’s arguably in the peak years of his career, there may never be a better time for Higuain to move to a juggernaut of the European game.
After reaching two Champions League finals in three years, Atletico fit that bracket.
Simeone’s side were outstanding again last season, and while they have a supreme forward in Antoine Griezmann to call upon, a consistent partner for the France international has been tough to find, despite a flourish late in the campaign from Fernando Torres.
In the big games, the latter was found wanting at times. These numbers from Squawka Football illustrate that emphatically:
"Fernando Torres completed just 5 passes in 120 minutes vs. Real Madrid last night.
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 29, 2016"
3 were in the centre circle. pic.twitter.com/5w9nNhq4hm
Chelsea would love to land the player, too. Alongside a forward like Costa, whose physicality and powerful running naturally draws opposition defenders, he would get a lot of space in the penalty area.
Higuain has proved that when he does get time in the box he can be lethal, and given the Blues’ lack of depth in forward positions, he’d be a solution to a lot of problems.
However, having qualified for next season’s UEFA Champions League, the Italian side will not be under any pressure to sell. ESPN FC’s David Amoyal thinks Higuain’s huge release clause will also hinder any pursuit:
While Chelsea may be able to offer a more lucrative salary to the striker, at the moment they’re a club facing an uncertain future. Conte has major pedigree as a coach and is a proven winner. But at the moment there’s no European football on the agenda at Stamford Bridge.
Simeone’s spell at Atletico has been laced with challenges for the biggest honours in the game. Given time is at a premium for Higuain in what will surely be his best years as a player, that’d be an enticing proposition. However, it’s difficult to see the Liga side coughing up the money Napoli would want.
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