Arsenal Transfer News: Gunners Risk Missing out on Higuain Unless They Act Now

Arsenal risk missing out on Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain to Napoli, according to Simon Rice of The Independent. 

Napoli are in the market for a new striker following the £54million sale of Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain, and their president revealed on Twitter that they were interested in the Argentine striker.

Higuain was often utilised as backup to Karim Benzema at Madrid last season, but he still struck 16 goals in 28 matches and would provide Arsenal the impetus they need to end their run of eight years without a trophy.

The transfer saga has rumbled on for weeks now, with the Gunners continuing to pursue the Argentine at a leisurely pace.

Although they have an array of attacking options at their disposal—including Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott and Lukas Podolski—Higuain’s impressive goalscoring record for club and country coupled with his Champions League experience makes him a worthwhile option.

At 25 years old he still has his best years ahead of him, but Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has still not dismissed the idea of keeping Higuain at the Bernabeu, according to The Independent.

The decision to stay or switch to Napoli will become easier for Higuain if Arsenal continue to draw out the process after appearing to be in pole position to sign him.

One hitch in any plan to sign Higuain, though, could be the impact on Walcott, who has always expressed a desire to play through the middle.

Arsenal’s 4-3-3 system means just one striker gets the nod each match, and with at least Giroud and potentially Higuan to compete with, Walcott’s future looks destined to be as an inside forward on the flank.

The Englishman was convinced to sign a new contract by Arsene Wenger last season and will be looking for opportunities to display his attacking prowess with the 2014 World Cup in Brazil less than a year away. But if Arsenal are serious about ending their baron run, they must build a squad capable of winning trophies, and Higuain is of that calibre.

Gunners fans are all too familiar with their club missing out on high-profile summer signings, and, to keep them on board, Wenger must identify his transfer targets quickly. With Napoli ready to pounce, Higuain should be his first priority.