Arsenal could miss out on Higuain after Napoli look to increase buy-out clause

Gonzalo Higuain in action for Napoli last season

Arsenal are set to miss out on Gonzalo Higuain for the second summer in succession, as Napoli plan to increase his buy-out clause in order to fend off interest from the Gunners and Barcelona, reports AS.

Arsene Wenger tried to bring the striker to the Emirates from Real Madrid last summer, but with a deal close to being agreed, he switched targets to Luis Suarez, who Arsenal were led to believe was available for around £40 million. The club’s Suarez bid was rejected by Liverpool, with the Reds owner John W. Henry famously tweeting: “What do you think they’re smoking over there at Emirates?”

After failing to bring in a striker last summer, the club are now even more desperate for a quality option to share the attacking burden with Olivier Giroud.

New Barcelona manager Luis Enrique is another admirer of the Argentina forward, and wants to pair the 26-year-old with Lionel Messi in a new-look attack.

Higuain scored 17 goals in a successful first year in Italy, as Napoli qualified for the Champions League and lifted the Coppa Italia, beating Fiorentina in the final.

The Argentine international is believed to favour a move to Spain, and welcomed the interest from Barcelona. When asked about potentially joining up with Messi at club level, he said: “Of course, I enjoy playing alongside him for the national team.

“Obviously it would be an enormous pleasure, but for now I’m focused on the World Cup.

“I’m flattered by the interest from Barca. Any player would be.”

Napoli plan to boost Higuaín's buy-out clause to 60-70M, as a hands-off message to Barça. pic.twitter.com/2y6BjzcW9j

— AS English (@English_AS) June 17, 2014