Arsenal FC have bid 40 million Euro for Gonzalo Higuain with Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis holding out for 50 million Euros as per reports in Gazzetta dello Sport
Arsene Wenger has previously shown interest in Higuain, but failed to bring the Argentine striker from Real Madrid two years ago when he moved to Napoli for 40 million Euros.
With Napoli not in the Champion’s League, and Spanish manager Rafael Benitez who bought him from Real Madrid moved on, Higuain could be open to a move to the London outfit.
The Italian newspaper claims Arsenal FC are willing to pay Higuain six million euros per season and a deal could materialize should a transfer fee be agreed with the Napoli.
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Arsenal FC’s lack of a top quality goalscorer led legend Thierry Henry to blast Olivier Giroud and urge the club to find a striker that will guarantee the gunners goals to win the league title.
“I think Giroud is doing extremely well. But can you win the league with him? I wouldn’t think so. He does a job, and he does it ever so well, but you can’t win the league.
“I’m afraid, they need a top, top quality striker to win this league again.”
A comparison between Giroud and Higuain throws up interesting insight.
Known for his goalscoring prowess, Higuain has notched up a total of 18 goals at 0.58 per 90 minutes in comparison to Giroud who has scored 14 goals despite a season interrupted by injuries at 0.68 per 90 minutes for Arsenal FC. The superior per 90 minute statistic coming in a much superior league for Giroud with all due respect to Italian Serie A.
Giroud also has won more Aeriel Duels for Arsenal FC as well as gone past players more. However, it is not all bad for Higuain who has more assists, 8 at 0.26 per 90 minutes in comparison to Giroud with 3 at 0.15 per 90 minutes.
Where the real difference lies, and rather surprisingly given his reputation as a poacher, is that Higuain has clocked up a much superior chance creation number with 48 at 1.56 per 90 minutes for his Napoli team mates, in comparison to Giroud with 28 at 1.36 per 90 minutes.
All said and done, Higuain does tend to miss a lot of good chances despite being able to put away quite a few. If Arsenal FC do have to pay that kind of money as Napoli is demanding, 50 million Euros, they can do a lot better than Gonzalo Higuain.
