Arsenal Transfer News: Latest Gonzalo Higuain and Iker Casillas Rumours

Arsenal are reportedly lining up big summer moves for Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain and Real Madrid star Iker Casillas.

Per Calciomercato.com (h/t Bruce Archer of the Daily Express), former Napoli strike partner Jose Alberti said Higuain is very close to a move to the Emirates. "I’m 90 per cent sure he will go to Arsenal," he said. "The contract could be a minimum of £3.6 million a year. It’s not possible that he will remain at Napoli this year after they missed out on the Champions League."

Arsenal are in need of more firepower up front, either as an alternative or complement to Olivier Giroud.

Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

The Argentinian forward fits the bill perfectly and would add great strength in depth to the Gunners' squad.

Higuain is a proven scorer, hitting 28 goals in all competitions last season. The 27-year-old also displayed his creative side, having assisted on a further 10.

Higuain would make an excellent foil for Giroud. While the Frenchman effectively utilises his aerial power and ability to join in with Arsenal's intricate passing, Higuain is a far more mobile proposition and even more ruthless finisher.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

Though he wouldn't come cheap, Napoli's failure to secure UEFA Champions League football makes this the best opportunity to sign the Argentinian. Higuain should be considered a must for Arsene Wenger this summer.

Another excellent addition for the Gunners would be Casillas.

According to the London Evening Standard's James Olley, Arsenal are still hopeful of signing Petr Cech this summer. Should that fall through, Casillas is next on the list.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

Football writer Dermot Corrigan reports Casillas as confident he will stay at the Santiago Bernabeu:

Nevertheless, the situation appears to have changed, with RTVE (h/t AS English) confirming that Casillas is set to leave Real in the summer:

Guillem Balague recently joined Bleacher Report's Ryan Bailey to discuss the Spaniard's future:

According to Squawka, Casillas kept 12 clean sheets in 32 league appearances for Los Blancos last season, making an average of 2.41 saves per game and maintaining an incredible distribution success of 70 per cent—better than any regular goalkeeper in the Premier League.

As OptaJose notes, Casillas is still a top goalkeeper in La Liga:

If he were to sign for Arsenal, he would be welcomed with open arms by the fans and undoubtedly command the No. 1 spot.

The 34-year-old may not quite be the impenetrable force he once was, but he remains a stopper of almost unrivalled experience, and his presence would likely prove a calming influence on Arsenal's back line.

With signings like Higuain and Casillas, Arsenal would only be a couple of defensive players short of mounting a serious title challenge next season.