Liverpool Transfer News: Gonzalo Higuain Offer Reportedly Made, Latest Rumours

Transfer rumours regarding the future of Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain are quickly heating up, and Liverpool have now reportedly made an offer to the Argentina international to join during the summer.  

According to Fichajes.net (h/t Metro's Jamie Sanderson), recent quotes from club president Aurelio De Laurentiis have opened the door for a possible move.

As shared by beIN Sports' Matteo Bonetti, De Laurentiis recently criticised Higuain's weight, an odd thing to do given his superb form in the 2015-16 campaign:

Per WhoScored.com, the 28-year-old has scored 25 goals in 27 Serie A appearances, but he went through a minor scoring slump in February that he only recently broke in the 1-1 draw against Fiorentina on Monday.

De Laurentiis blamed Higuain's weight gain during the season for his loss of scoring, but many pundits and reporters, like Sanderson, interpreted it as the president simply calling Higuain “fat.”

Like most, Onefootball was confused:

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Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has criticised Gonzalo Higuaín (24 goals this season) for being overweight pic.twitter.com/YJJeakLIfH

— Onefootball (@Onefootball) February 27, 2016"

The former Real Madrid forward has been the driving force behind Napoli's title challenge this season, and it's no surprise Juventus caught up with the Partenopei and then passed them in the standings right when Higuain failed to find the target for a few weeks.

Higuain looked sluggish in the loss against Juventus, and he has looked far from his best ever since. He certainly hasn't been in the form he showed earlier this season, when he was seemingly scoring for fun:

At his best, Higuain is one of the most lethal finishers in the world, a player who dominates in and around his opponents' penalty box. He always pops up in the right place at the right time, uses smart movement to find space and can score with his eyes closed.

Higuain is also surprisingly quick for such a powerful striker, and he is more than adept in open space. He can be a factor in the counter-attack or create for himself, but he's at his best when he's allowed to roam the box and get on the end of clever through balls.

He's a vital player for Napoli, who have built their team around his prolific scoring and will feed him the ball throughout the match. Per Sanderson, Higuain has been negotiating a new deal with the Partenopei, but he's reportedly keeping his options open.

ALBERTO PIZZOLI/Getty Images

He's been with Napoli since 2013 but is yet to win the Serie A title with the club, and if they fail again in 2015-16, he may choose to try his luck elsewhere.

There's little doubt clubs would be lining up to sign Higuain, who is a proven scorer and an experienced option with plenty of years left in the tank at a position that is somewhat devoid of talent right now. Liverpool, who have struggled at the position due to Daniel Sturridge's injury concerns, would present an excellent destination for the Argentinian.

TalkSPORT commentator Micky Quinn recently claimed Christian Benteke will leave the Reds at the end of the season, opening up a slot in manager Jurgen Klopp's squad.

While cohosting the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast show, he said (via Joe Moore of talkSPORT.com):

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Benteke’s gone. I don’t like to say it, but I’m afraid he’s gone.

He just doesn’t fit in with Klopp’s mentality of that versatile front three, where they’re closing people down, running into the channels and getting back to defend as well – a mobile front three. He just doesn’t fit into Klopp’s brand of football.

I really think he’ll be gone in the summer, unless he wants to work with him over pre-season to get him onto that mentality. But I don’t think so, I think he’ll be gone.

"

Benteke's role at Anfield has been steadily declining, and he looks like a poor fit for Klopp's fast-paced system, which requires forwards to move more in space and press defenders when the opponent has the ball.

Higuain could fill such a role, but price could prove to be a major stumbling block. His release clause stands at a whopping €100 million, and Napoli maintain he won't be sold for anything less, per Sky Sports' Nadia Carminati.

While clubs often make such statements, it may actually be true in the case of Higuain, who plays such a pivotal role for Napoli. The team would effectively have to be rebuilt should he leave―there's no way the Partenopei even consider a move at any bargain price.

Should Higuain fall out with the club, things might change, and De Laurentiis' latest comments will give the rumour mill plenty of fodder. But those comments shouldn't be taken too seriously―after all, De Laurentiis tweeted this after Higuain broke his duck against Fiorentina (h/t Football Italia):

Don't expect these rumours to vanish anytime soon―as long as Higuain doesn't put pen to paper on a new deal, his future will remain a topic of discussion.

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