Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain will be a target for numerous clubs around Europe this summer, and a transfer war is already brewing between a trio of Premier League clubs including Arsenal.
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The writing is seemingly on the wall for the Argentine international, with the club expected to make changes after Rafa Benitez left to become Carlo Ancelotti’s successor at Real Madrid.
Having dragged his side back into contention in their dramatic last-day battle with Lazio to determine who would qualify for the Champions League, the 27-year-old’s penalty miss proved crucial as Napoli missed out on a place at Europe’s top table and all the financial benefits that come with it.
That in turn changes their outlook next season and it remains to be seen how owner Aurelio De Laurentiis spends his money this summer in strengthening the squad after he has appointed a new coach.
Higuain has 53 goals in 102 appearances for the club, and although he has constantly spoken about following in idol Diego Maradona’s footsteps with the southern giants of Italy, he may well be considering his options moving forward.
Naturally, the former Real Madrid star isn’t short of potential suitors, with Chelsea joining both Arsenal and Manchester United in the race to sign him, according to the Telegraph.
However, while Chelsea already boast a top class striker in Diego Costa, the Gunners do not possess such luxury. This is where Arsene Wenger needs to invest and a world class forward to score goals consistently could take the north London club to the next level and help them realistically compete for a league title.
The current squad is blessed with significant talent, but there are certain areas that need bolstering and that has been the case for a long period of time which in turn has led to the French tactician receiving heavy criticism.
Yes, the spine of the team can be strengthened and that may well be the priority this summer, but adding a prolific striker to the mix would certainly make them a force both home and abroad next season.
With the likes of Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, Theo Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Alexis Sanchez operating behind him, Higuain would thrive in Wenger’s system and would not only benefit from the creativity behind him but would also allow those individuals to have more space to operate in.
The Argentine striker is a great finisher and that is his primary strength, but he can also run the channels and stretch opposing back lines which would allow others to rampage forward and take on more chances.
Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck are undoubtedly talented but they are limited and one-dimensional to a certain extent, and if the Gunners wish to take on the top teams in Europe then they need a player of Higuain’s ilk spearheading their attack.
Should Chelsea or Manchester United get there first, Arsenal could well live to regret their lack of activity on this occasion more so than ever before.
Higuain is a proven goalscorer that can produce at all levels, and not only would his signing be another statement from Wenger but it would also back up the hype and have real results on the pitch as the Napoli star is the potent striker that the club is still missing to ensure that there is always an end product to their majestic football.
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