Gonzalo Higuain has reportedly reached an agreement with Arsenal over personal terms on a four-year contract, as his move from Real Madrid edges closer. The Argentina striker is the marquee addition that Arsene Wenger wants this summer and the manager is ready to break the Arsenal transfer record to sign him. Arsenal officials are keen that Higuain joins before Arsenal depart on July 11 for their commercial tour of Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan, and it appears that the final obstacle is the sign-off from the incoming Real manager. The Spanish club, who parted company with Jose Mourinho at the end of last season, have lined up a deal for Paris Saint-Germain’s Carlo Ancelotti and he is keen to be installed at the Bernabeu as soon as possible. He could then be expected to sanction Higuain’s release. The player has come to feel surplus at Madrid and the club have already circulated his name to potential buyers. But PSG’s search for a new manager, which has taken several twists, has not yet been resolved and the situation has had an effect on Ancelotti’s proposed move to Madrid. The discussions between Arsenal and Higuain’s representatives have progressed in recent weeks and the player has indicated that he is happy with the contract on offer, which is worth around €150,000 a week. The 25-year-old stands to become Arsenal’s first €25m-plus player. The club’s current record signing is Andrey Arshavin at €17.8m. Meanwhile, Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov believes Wayne Rooney would be a ‘great success’ if he were to join the London club. Wenger has been promised significant funds to strengthen his squad this summer and the Manchester United striker has been linked with a switch since handing in a transfer request at the end of last season. Usmanov said: “He is a great player. If he comes it would be a big success for Arsenal and for Rooney also.” Usmanov also expressed his support for Wenger, who galvanised a strong finish to the 2012/13 campaign as his team finished fourth, but with some reservations. “My point of view is that Arsene knows best,” the 59-year-old Russian, who holds a 29.9% share in the club, added. “Of course, we as shareholders do point out some drawbacks in managing the club, in steering its way through. But I believe he is a great coach and he has already proven that last season.”
Posted on: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 05:10:06 +0000
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