For Arsenal fans, the recent links to Gonzalo Higuain will cause some painful memories to surface. It was three years ago, in July of 2013, that the Argentine forward was widely reported to be on the brink of a move to Arsenal. Ultimately, the move did not come to pass—and the Gunners are arguably still chasing a centre-forward to fill that void.
Perhaps it could yet be Higuain. Reports in Italy suggest that Arsene Wenger has reignited his interest in the former Real Madrid striker, and it’s not difficult to imagine why. Higuain has been largely outstanding in the intervening three years since Arsenal’s initial interest. Last season was his best to date—he bagged 36 goals, shattering Serie A records in the process.
If Arsenal do go back for Higuain, it’d essentially be an admission of error on Wenger’s part. After agreeing personal terms with the player in 2013, he neglected to broker a deal with his club, instead focusing his efforts on an ill-fated bid for Luis Suarez. Higuain went to Napoli instead, and the rest is history.
Wenger should have snapped up Higuain while he could. Strikers of his calibre do not come on the market often, as Arsenal have subsequently discovered to their cost. Several summers have passed and yet the Gunners seem to no closer to solving a problem that has been there since Robin van Persie left the club in 2012.
However, there are still reasons to doubt the validity of the renewed rumour. He’s not necessarily the precise type of forward Wenger is seeking. The bid for Jamie Vardy earlier this summer suggests the Arsenal boss is after a sprinter who offers a perennial threat in behind.
Higuain is not blessed with that kind of pace. He does have many other qualities that make him attractive—namely intelligence, an ability to shoot off either foot, or a handy knack of being in the right place at the right time—but he would not facilitate the change in playing style Wenger seems intent upon. Higuain would be an upgrade on Olivier Giroud, but not a dramatically different player.
Furthermore, there’s the issue of the fee. The price-tag quoted for Higuain ranges anywhere between £50 million to a British record £80 million. It’s difficult to envisage Wenger paying that for any player, let alone one who turns 29 next season. Arsenal would know they’d be highly unlikely to recoup a significant portion of that outlay.
There has been some suggestion that the Gunners would be prepared to let Giroud go in part-exchange. Setting aside the rarity of such deals that would appear to be a counter-intuitive move — why bring in a new forward to bulk out Wenger’s attacking options only to let another perfectly viable one go?
There is undebatable enthusiasm among the Arsenal supporters about the possibility of luring Higuain to the Emirates Stadium. Having tested himself in La Liga and Serie A, the player would presumably relish a crack at the Premier League. His style seems well-suited to it too, and it’s easy enough to imagine him gobbling up the chances created by the likes of Mesut Ozil.
Yet Arsenal fans looking for the man to inherit their new number nine shirt should not get too excited. Higuain may be a better player than he was three years ago, but he’s also a worse investment—and generally it is that economic consideration that governs Wenger’s transfer policy.
