Arsenal Transfer News: Gonzalo Higuain Deal Looms, Fresh Mesut Ozil Rumours

According to Italian website Calcio Mercato (h/t Alex Harris of the Daily Star), Arsenal are in "pole position" to bring in Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain.

The Argentinian is reportedly "considering his future" now that it seems unlikely Rafa Benitez's men will make next season's Champions League. Napoli are currently five points behind third-place Roma as the Italian season draws to a close.

Gunners fans will take any rumours of Higuain's potential arrival with an air of caution. The former Real Madrid man appeared on the brink of signing for Arsene Wenger's club in 2013, but Napoli acquired him instead. He was also linked with Arsenal last year but remained in Serie A.

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Higuain has scored 13 goals in 30 domestic league appearances this season, per WhoScored. He has also netted seven in 11 Europa League games to remain one of Benitez's most important players. As proven during Napoli's 4-1 away demolition of Wolfsburg, if Higuain is fit and firing, he ranks among Europe's most clinical finishers.

Squawka highlighted Higuain's display from the recent Europa League match:

OptaFranz underlined how important his goals are to Napoli's success:

Wenger will be buoyed by the recent form of Olivier Giroud, but he could still use a greater array of natural goalscorers at the Emirates Stadium.

Danny Welbeck has just four Premier League goals in his debut season and has netted only once in all competitions since the turn of the year, per WhoScored. Just like his time at Manchester United, he continues to be pushed out onto the wing.

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Higuain could provide the type of clever movement needed for players such as Mesut Ozil and Santi Cazorla to shine. Interestingly, Ozil is currently being linked with a surprise move to Chelsea, reported by Spanish publication Fichajes (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star).

Blues boss Jose Mourinho has allegedly "expressed interest" in the German playmaker who, since joining Arsenal, has a habit of winning one match before becoming completely anonymous in the next.

Mourinho previously signed Ozil to Real Madrid, but it seems unlikely he would enter difficult negotiations with a rival club who paid £42.5 million for the player less than two years ago.

Bogdan Maran/Associated Press

Ozil was key to the north London side's progression toward the FA Cup final, providing two assists for Alexis Sanchez's goals in Saturday's 2-1 win over Reading. His form continues to improve, making it even more difficult to suggest Wenger would consider cashing in.

He has the quality to be a key component of Arsenal's potential title push throughout next season. B/R UK's James McNicholas recently discussed what Wenger's team needs to do to close the gap on imminent champions Chelsea:

Wenger needs to focus on landing stars, not selling them this summer. Higuain's sharpness in the box could certainly provide an interesting spearhead for a side that moves the ball forward quickly, utilising short passes and pace down the wings.

Giroud's improved performances may force Wenger to prioritise strengthening other areas of his squad, however, with a defensive midfielder still desperately needed.