The Argentina striker has agreed personal terms with the
Gunners, who will hold talks with los Blancos this weekend as they look to
secure a fee in the region of €23 million
Arsenal officials have flown out to Madrid to finalise
the deal to bring Gonzalo Higuain to the Emirates Stadium, Goal can confirm.
The Gunners delegation will hold top-level talks with
their Real Madrid counterparts this weekend as the two clubs negotiate a fee
for the Argentina international.
As reported on Thursday, Higuain has already agreed
personal terms with Arsenal ahead of a move that is increasingly likely to be
completed within the next 10 days.
Preliminary discussions have already taken place between
Arsenal and Madrid on a fee for the 25-year-old, and the exact figure is
expected to be settled in the Spanish capital over the weekend.
The Gunners are hopeful that an offer around the €23
million mark can close the deal, while los Blancos are holding out for around
€30m.
It is understood that Arsene Wenger could make an
appearance during the discussions at some point over the weekend.
Arsenal have agreed a contract with Higuain that will
start with a salary of €116,000-a-week, which will bring him in line with the
club’s top earners Theo Walcott and skipper Thomas Vermaelen but, contrary to
reports, will not shatter the club’s wage bill.
Nevertheless, Higuain will pocket a bumper pay rise if he
completes a move to the Gunners as he is believed to be earning a relatively modest
€74,500-a-week at Santiago Bernabeu.
Higuain alerted buyers by publicly insisting that he will
leave Madrid this summer following six years in the Spanish capital.
Juventus have also made the prolific forward an offer but
there are doubts about their willingness to pay a €23m-plus fee.
Wenger has made a concerted move for Higuain as he bids
to break the €23m transfer barrier - comfortably breaking the club’s record -
on two new players this summer. As revealed by Goal, Arsenal have also
activated the €26m release clause in Marouane Fellaini’s Everton contract but
have not yet been given the all clear to hold official talks with the player,
who is currently on holiday.
Wenger has also shown strong interest in Wayne Rooney and
Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic, but Higuain has been told he can leave by Madrid
and the deal is viewed by Arsenal as easier to secure.
The Argentina star has a prolific scoring record at both
club and international level and will be regarded as a statement signing if
Arsenal can finalise the transfer.
The north Londoners have also made moves to sign
centre-back Ashley Williams from Swansea City and goalkeeper Julio Cesar from
QPR
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