Higuain gives the biggest hint yet to a Premier League move.
Arsenal are on red alert as long-term target Gonzalo Higuain admits he will not be playing for Real Madrid next season.
The Gunners have been interested in the Argentina international for some time, with Serie A champions Juventus also keen on the 25-year-old.
“I am leaving Real Madrid, the decision has been made, I feel the time is right and I want a change of scenery,” Higuain was quoted in the Sun.
“I have not decided where I will go, but the club already know that I want to go. It was my decision.”
The Argentinian signed from River Plate in his home country for £10.6m in 2007, but will cost Arsenal more than twice that if they want to land the striker now.
Higuain has played 27 La Liga matches during the current campaign – including Jose Mourinho’s last match in charge against Osasuna on Saturday – netting 15 league goals.
Since making his full international debut against Peru in 2009 Higuain has scored 17 times in 31 appearances for Argentina, after choosing the nation despite also being eligible to play for France.
The striker was his country’s top scorer at the 2010 World Cup and also netted the first hat-trick in the tournament since 2002, with three goals against South Korea.
Arsenal are looking to strengthen their strike force after failing to secure any silverware for the eighth consecutive season.
Manager Arsene Wenger has been keeping tabs on the Madrid forward for some time and is keen to give some competition to the underachieving Olivier Giroud.
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