Arsenal Transfer News: Latest on Gonzalo Higuain and Julian Draxler Rumours

Arsenal supporters still hoping that manager Arsene Wenger can pull off the signing of a top-quality centre-forward will be delighted to see that Napoli hitman Gonzalo Higuain has once again been linked with a move to the Gunners.

According to Kike Marin of El Confidencial, after missing out on his initial targets, Wenger has taken an interest in Higuain:

The Argentina international has long been linked with a move to north London. Arsenal came close to signing the striker in 2013 before a deal fell through, per Sid Lowe of the Guardian, and despite joining Napoli instead, there have been rumours regularly linking the two parties.

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Higuain definitely has the quality needed to spruce up Arsenal's attack. Here’s a closer look at what he can offer:

The forward looks to be tailor-made for Arsenal. Higuain possesses the technical skills to spin off the front to link up with the Gunners’ attacking midfield men, and even though he’s not blisteringly quick, he has a sharp turn of foot that complements his intelligent movement.

Perhaps most importantly for Arsenal, Higuain is a player who knows how to finish when chances arise. As noted here by WhoScored.com, he’s a forward who has begun this season in excellent goalscoring form:

Napoli would be loath to let their No. 9 leave now, though. It’s a big season for the Partenopei after missing out on Champions League football last term, and new manager Maurizio Sarri will be leaning on Higuain's steady stream of goals to fire Napoli up the table.

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Considering this, Arsenal would have to pay big money to lure the former Real Madrid man away from Napoli. He’d certainly be a big upgrade at the point of the attack and an acquisition that would give everyone at the Emirates Stadium a lift. But it’d be a major surprise if the player was donning Arsenal colours after the deadline.

Julian Draxler Still Available?

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The Daily Star (h/t the Daily Mirror) have linked Arsenal and Manchester United with a move for Schalke 04 starlet Julian Draxler after reporting the player has not agreed to join Wolfsburg. The prodigious midfielder has been tipped to leave the Veltins Arena this summer, with the Premier League duo, Bundesliga side and Juventus all strongly linked, per ESPN FC. 

As noted by ESPN FC, when asked if the Germany international was set to join the Bundesliga outfit, Schalke sporting director Horst Heldt stated to the club’s official website, “That's not what the facts are.” However, according to Bild (h/t Bundesliga expert Daniel Busch), Wolfsburg are close to sealing a deal for the Schalke man:

Here’s why some of European football’s biggest names are in the hunt for Draxler:

Stylistically, the German fits the Arsenal blueprint. His game is based on wonderful technical ability and intelligent passing, but Draxler also possesses a thunderous shot from distance, giving him a direct edge. Nonetheless, a move to Arsenal wouldn’t suit either party at this stage.

As noted here by Squawka, Draxler has only just returned to form for Schalke in what’s been a tough 2015:

He’s a player who needs regular game time after his 2014-15 season was marred by fluctuations in form and injury problems. At a club like Wolfsburg or even Juventus, Draxler would get exactly that, but with Arsenal, vying with players like Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Aaron Ramsey and Alexis Sanchez, it’s doubtful.

Arsenal don’t need another attacking midfielder anyway. Prising Draxler away from Schalke would be a costly exercise, and if the Gunners possess that kind of money at this late stage, it must be spent to bolster other areas of the squad.