Gonzalo Higuain: El Pipita

After much anticipation it seems that Gonzalo Higuain could be on his way to Arsenal. The Argentinean striker, nicknamed El Pipita, has been the focus of most of the Arsenal related transfer news in the past couple of weeks. Higuain is now odds on to join the Gunners as various newspapers have reported that he has reached an agreement in principle with the North London club. Could Arsene Wenger be ready to break Arsenal’s transfer record and make Higuain the highest paid player at the club?

The answer to this seems to be yes! According to recent reports Arsenal have offered Higuain a £130,000 per week contract, which will make him the highest paid player at the club by £30,000 per week. It is also being reported that Wenger is ready to smash Arsenal’s transfer record by offering Real Madrid £20 million for the 25 year old Argentinean. Arsenal would ultimately like to get this deal wrapped up before 11th July when the team departs for their tour of Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan. The final barrier between Higuain and Arsenal is that Real Madrid don’t currently have a manager that can sign off the outgoing player. Los Blancos, who recently departed company with Jose Mourinho, are currently looking for a new manager to take the helm at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid President, Florentino Pérez, is said to be keen on bringing Carlo Ancelotti to the club. It is then expected that Ancelotti would sanction Higuain’s move to the Gunners.

But what will Higuain bring to the Arsenal team? He is a proven clinical finisher who has performed well at the highest level. Therefore Higuain brings both experience and clinical finishing to the Arsenal squad, two things which some fans would say the Gunners lack. Higuain also has an eye for key passes and can hold on the ball well. In La Liga last season Higuain made 19 appearances for Real Madrid (9 of which were as a substitute). He managed to score a very impressive 16 goals along with 5 assists. Higuain also had a shot accuracy of 51.8% and a conversion rate (shots to goals) of 28.6%. Another interesting stat, courtesy of Opta, that will excite Arsenal fans is that Higuain has averaged a goal every 112 minutes in the La Liga since he made his debut for Real Madrid on January 14th 2007.

In my opinion Higuain could be the first marquee signing this summer for Arsenal, I would also expect them to sign at least two more “big” signings. Since Robin Van Persie left the club Arsenal have struggled to score goals and lack a clinical finisher up top. Olivier Giroud has done well for Arsenal scoring 17 goals in all competitions last season, although I don’t think Giroud as the quality to lead the line for Arsenal. However I could see Gonzalo Higuain leading the line for the Gunners. Higuain has proven himself to be a lethal finisher at the highest levels and I believe he could continue to do so at Arsenal. I think that Higuain would fit into the Arsenal team very nicely, he not only has good finishing abilities but also very good link up play with others around him, this would make him the perfect fit for Arsenal.

Higuain looks to become a very solid investment for Arsenal. At 25 years old, he can come into the club as a ready made striker, as oppose to a young prodigy, however I can also see Higuain improving whilst with Arsenal, as he has improved every year at Real Madrid. I would say that the transfer is very likely to happen as Higuain is looking for first team football next season, to try and guarantee his place in Argentina’s World Cup squad for next summer as he faces stiff competition for the likes of Aguero, Tevez and Messi.

If Arsenal can get this transfer wrapped up relatively quickly Arsene Wenger can then look to bring more players into the club, with the likes of Fellaini and Rooney being linked heavily with the Gunners.

Arsenal Undergo Changes

It looks as though Arsenal could have a radical shake up this summer, with a lot of players leaving the club and new players coming in. It seems as though Arsene Wenger may even be ready to spend big to acquire some of his top summer targets, which is something he isn’t accustom too.I personally feel that it was about time for some changes at Arsenal. Although Arsene Wenger deserves credit for bringing some talent youngsters into the squad and nurturing them into world class players, I do feel that he has often been a little lack luster in the transfer market. Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski were two great signings but they still weren’t really what lots of Arsenal fans a craving. Arsenal fans are dying to see their club sign one of the top players in the world, whom of course would come with a substantial price tag, could this be the summer that Arsenal fans finally get their wish?

The words that were uttered from Ivan Gazidis’ mouth filled every Arsenal fan with hope for a big signing this summer. Gazidis said that Arsenal are ready to “escalate” their spending this summer. When asked whether Arsenal could afford to spend £20 million on a single player and offer salaries of £200,000 per week, he said: “Of course we could do that. We could do more than that.” Gazidis continued, “It is going to be the players that Arsene believes in. He is pretty blind to price tags, he looks at what he sees with his eyes and makes judgments based on that, not on reputations and prices.” Arsenal have been linked with a hole host of world class players this summer including Gonzalo Higuain and Wayne Rooney, and it seems that they may now have the financial capabilities to carry out these transfer bids. However the statement from Gazidis also left a lot of Arsenal fans asking, “why now?” The answer to this is relatively simple. In 2003 Arsenal began to build the Emirates Stadium, ready for their transition from Highbury, the stadium cost a total of £470 million, which Arsenal have been paying back over recent years. The move to the Emirates has been one of the reasons why Arsenal haven’t made any big money signings in the last 10 years, but they have now virtually payed of the stadium debt and are in a very healthy financial situation. The transfer fund has also been bolstered by the recent shirt sponsorship deal with Fly Emirates which is worth £150 million to the Gunners. Every Arsenal fan is eagerly anticipating a big summer signing but it is important not to get carried away. Ivan Gazidis, chief executive of Arsenal, also said “We also have new revenue streams coming on board and all of these things mean we can do some things which would excite you, but what excites Arsene isn’t necessarily what excites you. This year we are beginning to see something we have been planning for some time – the escalation in our financial firepower.” This is a reminder to Arsenal fans that Wenger clearly isn’t going to rush into a big money signing to please the fans, it has to be a player which fits in with the Frenchman’s philosophy.

In recent weeks after Gazidis’ remarks there have been numerous transfer rumors surrounding Arsenal bringing in new players. The first player rumored to be on Arsene Wenger’s radar was the unsettled Wayne Rooney. After David Moyes was named Manchester United it became clear that Rooney would possibly looking for a way out of Manchester, then the rumors of a transfer to Arsenal begun. On a personal level I can’t see this happening, I don’t even expect Rooney to leave United this summer, I’m 80% certain that he will sign a new deal with the Red Devils. Arsenal were then linked with another forward, Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain. The Argentinian striker has admitted that he may be leaving Los Blancos this summer, with Arsenal and Juventus being suggested by the media as two possible destinations for the striker. The most recent name to be linked with Arsenal is Marouane Fellaini, it was widely reported last week that Arsenal had activated Fellaini’s £22 million release clause. Sky Bet even went as far as dropping the odds for Fellaini to sign for Arsenal this summer to 1/1. However this reported bid was dismissed by Arsenal, Everton and the Fellaini ‘camp’. The rumors linking Fellaini to Arsenal have seemed to die off with new Everton manager Roberto Martinez stating that Fellaini is “going nowhere” this summer. Other notable talents to be linked with the Gunners include Stevan Jovetic,ilkay Gundogan, Lars Bender and with most recent of all being Benfica full back Lorenzo Melgarejo. I fully expect Arsenal to make at least one landmark signing this summer, however I have no idea who will be joining the club as they have been linked with so many players. At the present moment in time Arsenal haven’t officially made any signings, however it looks as though highly rated French Under 21’s forward Yaya Sanogo will be joining the club from Auxerre on a bosman free transfer. Most fans are expecting to see Sanogo go straight into the first team set up as oppose to being playing in the reserve squad.

Could Arsenal fans be seeing Gonzalo Higuain in the famous Red and White of the Gunners next season?

It also seems as though Arsenal will be having an internal clear out at the club. In recent years there have been cries from the terraces for Wenger to get rid of some of the “deadwood” at Arsenal, that contribute heavily to the wage bill, and it is looking like Arsenal fans will get their wish. The first team clear out has already begun with Sebastian Squillaci, Andrey Arshavin and Denilson all leaving the club on free transfers. Arsenal have already knocked £10 million from the wage bill, after getting rid of 3 players who have hardly featured for Arsenal in the last 3 years, this is definitely a step in the right direction. It doesn’t look like the summer sale will stop there either, Arsenal have reported accepted bids of around £3 million from various teams for Danish forward Nicklas Bendtner, a player who most fans will be happy to see leave. The summer clear has also stretched to the reserve squad an youth teams with a total of 15 players being released by the club, this makes certain that Arsenal will be bringing in some young talent this summer rebuild and reshape the reserves and youth team.

Arshavin’s goal versus Barcelona will live long in the memory as the little Russian departs the club.

It is sure to be an exciting and frantic summer for Arsenal fans as a lot of players leave the club and new players are brought in. The fans of the North London team will be hoping that the players that Arsene Wenger does bring in can help Arsenal to end their trophy drought and secure a piece of silverware next season.

Transfer Gossip #2

Welcome to the second installment of Transfer Gossip!

Tottenham want Ince.

It is being reported this week that Spurs are interested in 21 year old Blackpool winger, Tom Ince. Tottenham are supposedly preparing a £6.5 million bid for the young winger who has scored 18 Championship goals this season. Ince has been in impressive form an has attracted interest from many top flight clubs.

Arsenal to put in a shock bid for Schneiderlin?

It has been reported today that Arsenal may put a shock £10 million bid in for Southampton’s Morgan Schneiderlin. He would be brought into the squad to replace the forever injured Abou Diaby.

Galatasary look to strengthen squad.

The Turkish side are looking to strengthen their squad in the summer. They are supposedly lining up a bid for Manchester City’s Gael Clichy. They are also said to interested in Bayern’s Arjen Robben and will offer the German team £12 million.

West Ham to turn to Jelavic?

The hammers may try to buy Everton striker, Nikica Jelavic, this summer. They have decided that the £17 million price tag that Liverpool have set for Andy Carroll is extortionate. The London club reportedly offered £10 million for Carroll which Liverpool completely dismissed. Liverpool are sure to lose money on the £30 million that they paid for Carroll.

Cristiano Ronaldo set to leave Madrid.

There have been reports throughout this season that Ronaldo will leave the Galacticos. Manchester United are said to be interested in their ex-player. However they face stiff competition from Paris St.Germain who have made Real Madrid a “substantial offer” for the Portuguese star.

PSG want Wenger.

Paris St.Germain are said to be confident that they will be able to prize Arsene Wenger away from Arsenal to manage the French giants. This has come after news that Carlo Ancelotti is expected to become the new Real Madrid boss when Mourinho leaves at the end of the season.

Frieburg to hold onto young star.

Frieburg have said that starlet, Matthias Ginter will not be leaving the club during the summer transfer window. Borussia Dortmund, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool are all said to be on the trail for German defender.

Danny Rose to snub Sunderland in favor of Spurs stay.

Andre Villas-Boas is trying to persuade England Under 21’s star, Danny Rose to snub a move to Sunderland to stay at Tottenham. The young left-back has been very impressive whilst out on a season long loan at Sunderland, who are reportedly looking to sign him on a permanent basis for around £8 million.

Arsenal looking to sign a Goalkeeper.

Arsenal are said to be interested in signing a new goalkeeper this summer. Lots of names have come up including QPR’s Julio Cesar who is set to leave after Rangers were relegated to the Championship. Another name that has come is Hamburg’s Rene Adler, however the German club are insisting that Arsenal have not approached them about a potential move for the German shot stopper.

Jovetic could snub Arsenal for a move to Milan.

It has been reported today that long term Arsenal target Stevan Jovetic may snub the North London club in favor for a move to AC Milan. It seems as though Arsenal will be facing some stiff competition as they look to try and sign their number 1 transfer target. It would be a huge disappointment for Arsenal if the young Montenegrin was snatched by AC Milan.