Liverpool Transfer News: Gonzalo Higuain Talks Napoli Future Amid Reds Rumours

Liverpool are looking to exploit the supposedly unsettled stance of Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain, but the striker has come out with comments to suggest he plans on remaining with the Serie A outfit.

The Daily Express (h/t Football Italia) has reported that the Reds have plans in view of a €45 million move, but Gianluca Di Marzio provides quotes from the striker, made to Sky Sport regarding his potential exit:

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This is a fantastic city where to play soccer and, as in any place, where you win, everyone is happy, when you don’t, people overreact. I chose to come here, Naples is a wonderful city.

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Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

Higuain is yet to score, as the Azzurri have opened their campaign with a record of just one win in their first four games, that victory coming on the opening day against Genoa.

This led to speculation that the former Real Madrid man could be unhappy in Naples, with FIFA agent Jose Alberti quoted by Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Football Italia) hinting a 2015 exit could be nigh if the lack of success continues:

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After the defeat against Athletic Bilbao we heard a lot of useless proclamations about the strength of the team and winning the League. Napoli's transfer campaign was disastrous, and the blame surely lies with management. Though it's true, what with missing out on the Champions League and the Sky TV rights, along with the sales of the seasonal tickets, they lost €50m. The owners must take some action, the team that I see at the moment is not one that can qualify for the Champions League.

He [Higuain] is fed up with the whole situation, he's playing up there on his own. Napoli had 38 shots and scored two goals, these numbers are absurd.

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Reports mention that a transfer, if ever likely, won't come about until next summer, but Liverpool are a side who look like they could do with the Argentine's talents as soon as possible.

Without Daniel Sturridge fit to play and Mario Balotelli still reacclimatising to the Premier League, the Reds' threat on goal has been somewhat lessened.

Bogdan Maran/Associated Press

Brendan Rodgers' side only just squeaked by the likes of Middlesbrough and Ludogorets Razgrad in recent weeks, teams they were expected to beat comfortably.

Meanwhile, defeats to Aston Villa and West Ham have highlighted the team's tame tendencies with their most dangerous attacker absent through injury. Rodgers is quoted by The Telegraph in saying Balotelli will need time to thrive:

Higuain has only one season of Italian football under his belt following last summer's transfer from the Bernabeu. Last season he managed to score 17 goals in 32 league appearances for Rafa Benitez's side.

However, the support of the fans appears to be waning at the Stadio San Paolo, and these stories of alleged discontent, combined with a lack of goals, could only drive a wedge further between the two parties.

Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

One does struggle to see how Liverpool might fit in a combination of Sturridge, Balotelli and Higuain into the same squad when all three are fit, but then Sturridge's injury has highlighted the need for elite options.

It was always a fate predicted to afflict the squad, but Luis Suarez's Anfield departure continues to play its hand at the club, Liverpool still searching for the same striking security their ex-star once provided.