Arsenal Transfer News: Gonzalo Higuain Nears England Move, Nacho Monreal Rumours

Arsenal's longstanding links with Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain have intensified after odds of the striker moving to England plummeted, while Athletic Bilbao are looking to offer Nacho Monreal a return to his homeland.

The bad news for the Gunners, however, is that Manchester United lead the chase for Higuain, as Adam Skinner of the Express reports that SkyBet are now offering odds of 5-2 on the Argentina international moving to Old Trafford.

Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

United have freed up space in their attack after Fenerbahce chairman Aziz Yildirim was quoted by Sky Sports as saying Robin van Persie has moved to the Istanbul club, opening the chances of a Higuain arrival.

However, Higuain could be an enormously expensive target to pursue, considering his release clause stands at £67 million, a valuation the Guardian's Amy Lawrence doesn't see as justified (via Marcus Christenson):

Skinner's report mentions that Arsenal saw a previous £43.2 million bid for Higuain turned down, but the player's desire to once again feature in the Champions League may see Napoli loosen their grip.

However, with his contract not set to expire until 2018 and manager Maurizio Sarri telling Radio Kiss Kiss (via Football Italia) that Higuain features heavily in the club's plans, luring the forward from Naples will be difficult.

"He’s central to our project," Sarri said. "He’s a strong and unpredictable player, he has extraordinary qualities in linking up with his team-mates in attack. So far I don’t think he’s shown his full potential, he still has room for improvement. I really hope I can pull even more out of him."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger invested in Danny Welbeck last summer—but the former Manchester United starlet had a tough first season at the Emirates Stadium, and the club may understandably seek an upgrade.

According to David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com, it's possible that Higuain could move away from the Stadio San Paolo this summer:

Olivier Giroud has been a fine frontman for Wenger when fit, but the north Londoners have shown a lack of depth up front when their French forward has fallen victim to fatigue in the past.

Higuain could claim the Gunners' leading spot in attack as his own outright, but the English giants will have to invest heavily if they're to clinch his signature, which may be out of their reach.

Athletic Hoping for Monreal's La Liga Return

Kirsty Wigglesworth/Associated Press

Two-and-a-half years after departing Malaga for England's capital, Arsenal left-back Monreal could be on his way back to La Liga following interest from Athletic Bilbao.

That's according to Metro's John Harvey, who reports that the Basque outfit are "ready to offer him a three-year deal," despite the defender enjoying his best season with Arsenal in 2014-15.

The Spain international leapfrogged Kieran Gibbs to become Wenger's first choice in the left-back role, but Harvey cites Spanish newspaper Marca as reporting that Arsenal are interested in Napoli full-back Faouzi Ghoulam.

Monreal's future in north London may, therefore, depend on whether Arsenal land their Serie A target, but Goal.com's Greg Stobart recently spoke with the Gunners incumbent, who seems happy in his current setting:

"

After winning two FA Cups in a row, we want to win more. I’d like to win the Premier League, it would be a dream for everyone, but we know it will be difficult. I think we need to start as we finished last season, because we finished really well and on a top level. I think that if we sign one or two top players, we will have more chance to win the Premier League.

Over the last two seasons, the club have signed players like Mesut [Ozil] and Alexis [Sanchez], and I’m sure we’ll sign another top player this summer. I think it’s very important for the team and the supporters because they’re very important for us. If the fans are happy with the players, we feel that on the pitch and we’ll have more of a chance to win the league.

"

At 29 years of age, a three-year offer may be tempting to Monreal, whose contract at the Emirates is set to expire in the summer of 2017.

However, future prospects look promising at present, and football writer Samuel Jay C was among those left impressed with Monreal's improvement throughout the last campaign:

After finishing third in the English top flight last term, many within the Arsenal camp will be eager to see where Wenger can take the side from here, and Monreal could be a crucial component in that respect.

It's up to the club, whether they choose to invest in a change at left-back or look to the assets already among their ranks, with Monreal as part of a potentially complicated rotation this summer.