Gonzalo Higuaín

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Napoli: 'Higuain never asked to leave' 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/87480/napoli-higuain-never-asked-leave

 

Jul 16, 2016

 

Napoli have finally broken their silence on Gonzalo Higuain. “He never said he wants to leave and Juventus never asked for him.”

 

The striker’s agent – who is also his brother – said he wouldn’t renew his contract in the current conditions.

 

This sparked a flurry of speculation on interest from Juventus and Arsenal, both prepared to pay his €94m release clause.

 

The club has been notably silent, but broke that this evening in a Q&A with fans at their Dimaro training retreat.

 

“Gonzalo never said he wanted to leave,” said head of communication Nicola Lombardo from the stage.

 

“Juve have never asked for him and (President Aurelio) De Laurentiis doesn’t want to sell him.

 

“It’s all the fault of the media, who like to pile story upon story. He will be here on July 25.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Three reasons why Juventus should not sign Gonzalo Higuain 

 

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/7/16/12205184/three-reasons-why-juventus-

should-not-sign-gonzalo-higuain-2016-serie-a-transfer-rumors

 

Jul 16, 2016

Gonzalo Higuain is a name that Juventus had been linked with Juventus in past transfer windows, back when he was at Real Madrid. However, a deal with Real Madrid just could not have been done, partly due to our relative lack of market prowess at the time. Napoli's influx from their sale of Edinson Cavani to Paris-Saint Germain meant that they had the means to meet Real's asking price and they got it done.

But, oh how times have changed! Juventus currently seem to be loaded and able to play with the big boys on the transfer market playground. And now it seems that Juve are going back in for the man they missed out on three summers ago, back to the playground armed with a handful of sand to throw in someone's eyes and a mean mug to show they mean business.

There's no doubting that Gonzalo Higuain is a goal-scoring phenomenon. The Argentine has been prolific for both Real Madrid — despite not always being the first choice — and now Napoli. But would he be worth the significant outlay it would take to pry him away from Juve's closest rival, who would certainly not be willing to deal? Such a deal can have a seismic impact on the landscape of the already weakened Serie A competition.

You've read the arguments in favor of a move for Higuain, now here are some against a potential transfer.

Huge outlay for a soon-to-be 29-year-old

It is undeniable that the striker would make Juventus an immeasurably more potent force. However, €94 million is a ridiculous amount of money to spend for any one player, much less for one that is just one year removed from celebrating his "Dirty 30." Giuseppe Marotta has repeatedly stated that the goal is to make this team younger. After the signings of 33-year-old Dani Alves and 29-year-old Medhi Benatia, how does signing a soon-to-be 29-year-old make the team younger? And when you consider that his purchase would likely be funded by the sales/exchanges of the 25-year-old Simone Zaza, 25-year-old  Roberto Pereyra, and 23-year-old Stefano Sturaro, the average age of the team shoots up drastically.

He's a notorious choker

World Cup 2014. Copa America 2015. Copa America Centenario 2016.

Argentina would be champions of all three of these, rather than runners-up, if it wasn't for key Higuain misses (most definitely for Copa America 2015, as that chance and miss was right at the end of the game). Higuain has garnered a reputation for being a "big-game bottler." And sure, he'll get us loads of goals against your Atalantas, Chievos and the like, but what about the Bayerns and Barcelonas of the world and in key games in Europe? I'm not so comfortable with the thought of Higuain leading the line in a major final. Could you imagine that after forking out all that dosh, Juventus make it to the Champions League final, and Higuain is presented with a game-winning chance? I can already picture myself screaming at and flipping off the TV screen in anger and amazement at another classic Higuain miss.

What it would mean for the rest of the league

As someone who is old enough to remember Serie A's heyday, it hurts to see the current status of the league. There was a time when every club, from the big boys to the newly promoted teams, could count on having at least a handful of truly quality players on their rosters. But those days have long been gone.

Despite having the second most lucrative television deal (by some distance behind the English Premier League, though), the money in the Italian game seems quite paltry by comparison. You see mid and lower table EPL clubs regularly outbidding top Serie A clubs. Serie A clubs are regularly losing their best players to other clubs across the continent. That's bad enough; the last thing the league needs is for Juve to do an inside job and further weaken the competition of the league by stockpiling talent from their rivals. The Bianconeri have already signed Miralem Pjanic from Roma, and Mehdi Benatia (who is only a few years removed from being a Roma player). While Higuain's signing would be immense for Juve, I'd think not so much for the rest of the league. And yes, Napoli would have €94 million to spend, but who can they get that can fill the hole that Higuain would leave and simultaneously make the league better? A weakened Napoli, and Serie A by extension, means that they perform poorly in European competition, further bringing down the Serie A coefficient.

Putting Juventus aside, is that really the best move for all of Serie A?

Is Juve trying to become Rosenborg (the Norwegian giants who won 13 consecutive titles from 1991 to 2004)?

Alternatively, one may argue that Higuain seems set on leaving Napoli this season anyway, and if not for Juve it would likely be for another big club overseas. Therefore wouldn't it be better for the league in the end for Juve to sign him? After all, that would mean a big name staying in the league rather than leaving. To that I'd say, good point, and I really can't argue against that. But maybe we don't sign him, and maybe he stays. And maybe it forces Napoli and other supposed top Serie A clubs to take a long look at themselves and realize that they really need to get their act together to stop Juve cannibalizing their talent.

After all, if Juve could come back from the ignominy of the Calciopoli scandal to be where they're at today, then it shouldn't be that hard for a lot of these clubs who were unpunished — or in some cases, even benefitted (*cough* Inter *cough*) from that scandal — to put some semblance of a coherent plan to return to the top in place.

Time will tell whether Juve are truly serious about this move, or whether they're just stoking flames while they have other stuff in the works. It's going to be a pretty interesting next few weeks though. Watch this space.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Juventus sales to fund Higuain 

 

http://www.football-italia.net/87484/juventus-sales-fund-higuain

 

Jul 17, 2016

 

The Corriere dello Sport claims Juventus will sell several stars to pay Gonzalo Higuain’s €94m release clause from Napoli.

 

The striker is refusing to sign a contract renewal and could therefore try to force a move this summer.

 

Napoli have stated repeatedly they will not negotiate a transfer, especially not with Serie A arch rivals Juventus.

 

However, today’s front page story on the Corriere dello Sport lists the way Juve can get around that by simply activating his release clause, which stands at €94.7m.

 

It lists the players who could be sold to raise those funds, including the €30m pocketed from Real Madrid’s buy-back clause for Alvaro Morata.

 

They’d sell Simone Zaza for €25m, defender Daniele Rugani for €25m, Roberto Pereyra – who is in advanced talks with Napoli – for €18m and get €10m for Mauricio Isla.

 

This would not be the first time Juventus have taken this course of action, as they paid the release clause to take Miralem Pjanic when Roma refused to negotiate a sale too.

 

“Gonzalo never said he wanted to leave,” said Napoli head of communication Nicola Lombardo last night.

 

“Juve have never asked for him and (President Aurelio) De Laurentiis doesn’t want to sell him.

 

“It’s all the fault of the media, who like to pile story upon story. He will be here on July 25.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Higuain has not asked to leave, insist Napoli

 

The Partenopei claim the in-demand marksman has not requested a move away and have

also confirmed their Serie A rivals Juventus are yet to make an offer for his services.

 

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2016/07/17/25701022/-?

 

 

Jul 17, 2016

 

Napoli have insisted that Gonzalo Higuain has not asked to leave and have also confirmed Juventus are yet to put in a request to sign him.

The Argentina international, who has a release clause worth €94million (£79m), has been heavily linked with both Serie A champions Juve and Arsenal this summer.

Higuain's brother and agent Nicolas said last month that his client would not be renewing his contract with last season's Serie A runners-up Napoli, which has two years left to run.

But despite the frenzied links with domestic rivals Juve, Napoli have stressed that little has changed regarding the 28-year-old striker, who scored a stunning 36 league goals in 2015-16.

"Gonzalo never said he wanted to leave," Napoli's head of communications Nicola Lombardo said at a Q&A with supporters at the club's training base in Dimaro.

"Juve have never asked for him and [President] Aurelio De Laurentiis does not want to sell him.

"We are talking about rumours that are fuelled by the press, who write story upon story. But he will be here in Dimaro to start pre-season on July 25."

Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri did little to dampen rumours of a swoop for Higuain when asked about the former Real Madrid star on Saturday, saying that "great players are always welcome" at his club.

The Turin side's director Fabio Paratici, meanwhile, hinted a move could be possible but stressed that no offers had yet been made.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Napoli drop Pereyra to save Higuain?

 

http://www.football-italia.net/87515/napoli-drop-pereyra-save-higuain

 

 

Jul 17, 2016

 

According to Tuttosport, Napoli are refusing to buy Roberto Pereyra because it might help Juventus fund the Gonzalo Higuain bid.

 

The two clubs were in advanced negotiations for Pereyra at €18m and were just working out personal terms with the player.

 

However, over the last few days the talks seem to have ground to a halt.

 

Tuttosport claim this is because Napoli fear giving Juve €18m they can use towards Higuain.

 

Pipita has a release clause in his contract worth €94m and if someone pays that sum, they cannot stop the striker leaving.

 

Selling Pereyra for €18m would put Juve well on the way to amassing that transfer fund, having already pocketed €30m from Real Madrid for Alvaro Morata.

 

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis will cross paths with Juventus director general Beppe Marotta at the Lega Serie A meeting tomorrow, so that is where the Higuain request is going to take place.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Spalletti: 'Higuain to Juve helps Serie A'

 

http://www.football-italia.net/87527/spalletti-higuain-juve-helps-serie

 

 

Jul 17, 2016

 

Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti believes Gonzalo Higuain joining Juventus “would raise the overall quality level of Serie A.”

 

The Partenopei have made it clear they will not negotiate a player exchange, so anyone who wants to buy Higuain must pay the €94m release clause.

 

Would having the record-breaking hitman in their squad kill off all Serie A competition?

 

“Actually, I think Higuain at Juventus would raise the overall quality level of Serie A,” Spalletti told Sky Sport Italia.

 

“That way Juventus would have another huge champion and attempt to win the Champions League, giving them the highest ambitions.

 

“Consequently, Napoli would use that money to build an equally strong squad and bring in four or five top quality players.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Crucial day for Juventus-Higuain

 

http://www.football-italia.net/87535/crucial-day-juventus-higuain

 

 

Jul 18, 2016

 

It's a crucial day for Gonzalo Higuain as Juventus and Napoli meet to discuss his possible transfer.

 

The Bianconeri are up against the iron will of president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who has no intention of selling his superstar, but they may be able to take the player away by paying his €94m buy-out clause.

 

Sources from within Napoli have stated and then stated again that the Argentinian will not be leaving, but this has not been sufficient to keep their fans at ease.

 

Today the two clubs will come together at the Lega Serie A. The meeting was originally scheduled to discuss the transfer of Roberto Pereyra, but it's widely believed that sporting director Beppe Marotta will take the opportunity to present an offer for Higuain.

 

Statements from Marotta or De Laurentiis are expected later today as the story that is turning heads everywhere in Serie A takes a decisive turn.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Napoli refuse Higuain talks

 

http://www.football-italia.net/87557/napoli-refuse-higuain-talks

 

 

Jul 18, 2016

 

Napoli have reportedly refused to negotiate with Juventus for Gonzalo Higuain, telling them to pay the €94m release clause.

 

The Bianconeri are thought to have agreed terms with last season’s Serie A top-scorer, so now they must find a deal with the Partenopei.

 

A meeting of the Lega Serie A was held today, with Vesuviani President Aurelio De Laurentiis and Juve general manager Giuseppe Marotta both in attendance.

 

The Old Lady had been hoping to lower the fee by offering a cash plus players deal, with Roberto Pereyra and one or two others to be included.

 

However, Sky reports that Napoli are refusing to enter into any kid of negotiation, so the Turin club will have to pay the €94m to get Higuain.

 

Arsenal are also thought to be interested, and De Laurentiis may be willing to sell the striker to them, rather than risk strengthening a rival if Juventus activate the clause.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

‘Juventus won’t pay Higuain clause’

 

http://www.football-italia.net/87558/‘juventus-won’t-pay-higuain-clause’

 

 

Jul 18, 2016

 

Napoli’s official radio station reports that Juventus will not pay Gonzalo Higuain’s release clause.

 

The Bianconeri are looking to bring the striker to Turin this summer, and have reportedly agreed a €7.5m per season contract.

 

However, the Partenopei are refusing to negotiate for last season’s Capocannoniere, and have made it clear the only way they’ll sell to the Bianconeri is if they pay the €94m release clause.

 

Now Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli is reporting that, as things stand, the Old Lady have no intention of activating the clause, while President Aurelio De Laurentiis would reject any other offer.

 

Higuain could therefore remain at San Paolo, although he is refusing to sign a new contract so speculation is likely to continue all summer.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

ADL: ‘Juventus won’t buy Higuain’

 

http://www.football-italia.net/87565/adl-‘juventus-won’t-buy-higuain’

 

Jul 18, 2016

 

Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis insists Juventus “never had any intention” of activating Gonzalo Higuain’s release clause as “they’re a club with class”.

 

The Bianconeri have been heavily linked with the striker, and it has been suggested that they have an agreement in place with the player.

 

However, the Vesuviani are unwilling to negotiate with the Turin side, and their President says the €94m release clause won’t be activated.

 

“There has never been contact between Juventus and Napoli,” De Laurentiis insisted when leaving the Lega Serie A meeting.

 

“The Bianconeri never had any intention of paying the release clause, nor have we asked them to.

 

"I asked Marotta: 'do you really want to pay the clause?' and he told me they never had any intention of doing so. There’s a contract of five years and we've only had three, the ignorance in the world of football is total.

 

"There's a release clause, according to which if someone says 'we'll pay it', Higuain can accept the offer from any club and Napoli will only accept those offers.

 

"The clause was inserted to protect ourselves, because the higher the clause the more someone has to pay. No club has offered it so far and Higuain hasn't said anything.

 

"This whole world of stupid things to sell your newspapers is bad for the fans, you should apologise. There are desperate people, but I'm not selling anyone.

 

“Whoever wants him can pay the clause. Juventus never had any intention of doing so. I don't know if something will change but [Juve general manager Giuseppe] Marotta is smart and knows perfectly well they can't do this great wrong and that it's a losing battle.

 

"Gonzalo is on holiday, he's due here on July 25 and I haven't heard from him yet. I'm convinced that Juventus are a club with class and won't interfere with that, or they'd become a very unpleasant club."

 

De Laurentiis was also asked about Napoli's pursuit of Bianconeri man Roberto Pereyra.

 

"Pereyra is out of play. Simone Zaza? We have a lot of strikers. The transfer window is long."

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Marotta says that Juventus are not in talks for Higuain

 

Beppe confirms De Laurentiis’ statements

 

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/7/18/12216138/marotta-juventus-

not-in-talks-for-higuain-napoli-release-clause-2016-serie-a-transfer-rumours

 

Jul 18, 2016

 

There may be many reasons for Juventus to chase Gonzalo Higuain, and even more to not pursue him, but for now he remains a Napoli player.

Earlier today Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis had said that contrary to media rumors, the Bianconeri had not activated the player’s €94m release clause, adding that Juve “never had any intention” of doing so since “they’re a club with class”.

Juventus General Manager Beppe Marotta confirmed this later in the day, speaking to the media after the League’s meetings being held today.

“Yes, there’s no negotiation for Higuain.

“De Laurentiis said we won’t pay the release clause? I’d say yes, that’s how it is. I’d say yes, absolutely.

“It’s a closed subject. For now. There’s no negotiation with Napoli. I won’t add anything else.

“Has Higuain asked to be sold? Ask Napoli. Will we replace Alvaro Morata? Well yes, we will.”

So there, that should put to bed any lingering gossip linking Juve to the Higuain. For now.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

ADL prepares new Higuain contract

http://www.football-italia.net/87583/adl-prepares-new-higuain-contract

 

Jul 19, 2016

 

President Aurelio De Laurentiis is preparing a new contract for Napoli's Gonzalo Higuain, with higher wages and a lower buy-out clause.

 

The protective purpose of the original €94m clause has been fulfilled, as Juventus general manager Beppe Marotta admitted they were not ready to pay that amount for the Argentinian.

 

However, the Partenopei still have to acknowledge Higuain's reported frustration, and in order to keep his mood up, De Laurentiis is laying down a new contract.

 

Higuain will be offered a raise of an extra €2m on his current salary of €5.5m yearly, matching the wages offered by Juventus.

 

Furthermore, his buy-out clause will be lowered to approximately €40m, giving the Argentinian greater freedom to organise a departure next year, if he so wishes.

 

The film tycoon will present this offer next week, when El Pipita is back from holidays. In the meantime, the president has an extensive series of meetings scheduled with his staff, including Coach Maurizio Sarri and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, and has promised Radio Kiss Kiss daily updates on the transfer situation.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Moggi: 'Juve sell Pogba, sign Higuain'

http://www.football-italia.net/87630/moggi-juve-sell-pogba-sign-higuain

 

Jul 19, 2016

 

Former Juventus director Luciano Moggi advised the club to “sell Paul Pogba immediately to pay for Gonzalo Higuain, then get Hector Herrera.”

 

The disgraced director general worked at both Napoli and Juventus during his career, before it was terminated in the Calciopoli scandal.

 

“The feeling I get is that Higuain will remain at Napoli,” Moggi told Radio Crc.

 

“If I were Juventus, I’d have no doubts at all. I’d sell Pogba immediately and then straight away sign Higuain. I’d go to Porto, put Herrera in Pogba’s place and nobody could tell the difference.

 

“Higuain is a far more decisive player. The chances of winning the Champions League would increase and he’d represent a substantial change.”

 

Moggi was at the helm when Juve sold Zinedine Zidane in 2001 for a then-record €73.5m.

 

The club invested that money by signing Gigi Buffon, Lilian Thuram and Pavel Nedved.

 

Moggi was also asked about the current transfer strategy of Napoli.

 

“They are increasing the number of benchwarmers, as getting the bench to the level of the first choices is not easy, but it is decisive. That’s why Napoli lost the Scudetto last season.

 

“In terms of effort, marking and runs, Emanuele Giaccherini is a precious player. Lorenzo Tonelli is a good defender, now they need another one or two big names.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Higuain will betray Napoli if he joins Juventus - De Laurentiis

 

The Partenopei president reiterated the striker is not for sale, adding that the Argentine

will betray the club's fans if he joins the Serie A champions or any other Italian club. 

http://www.goal.com/en/news/11/transfer-zone/2016/07/19/25763862/-?

 

Jul 19, 2016

 

Aurelio De Laurentiis has suggested Gonzalo Higuain will betray Napoli fans if he leaves the club to join Juventus.

The Serie A champions are determined to land the Argentine striker, having already agreed personal terms with him over a four-year contract.

Napoli president De Laurentiis, however, has told Juve director that they will have to match his €94.7 million release clause if they want to lure the 28-year-old from the Stadio San Paolo.

And De Laurentiis has reiterated that there is no way he will allow Higuain to join another Italian club - with Arsenal also heavily linked -  and is intrigued to see if the forward will "betray" the club's supporters.

“Higuain will not go to Juventus,” he told Radio Kiss Kiss. “In fact, it would not be right if he went to another Italian club.

“The rumours mean nothing, Gonzalo has another two years remaining on his contract. If no club presents itself with a fee equal to the release clause in his contract, clearly he will remain at Napoli.

“There aren’t many clubs that can pay that sum. We’ll also have to see whether Higuain wants to betray the love he swore to the Neapolitans.”

Higuain finished Serie A top goalscorer last season with 36 goals in 35 appearances.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Betting Special: Can Arsenal beat Juventus to Higuain's signature?

 

Depsite reportedly already agreeing personal terms with the Argentina international, the Bianconeri's

refusal to meet Napoli's asking price could open the door for Wenger's team.

http://www.goal.com/en/news/2994/betting/2016/07/20/25768372/-?

 

Jul 20, 2016

 

Having scored 36 goals in 35 Serie A games for Napoli last season, Gonzalo Higuain’s stock has never been higher.

Considering elite goalscorers are one of the hardest commodities to come by in football, the striker is sure to be on plenty of shopping lists this summer.

However, while many Arsenal fans are hoping that Arsene Wenger will finally make the Argentina international the marquee signing they have long been craving, SkyBet currently have the Gunners down as 9/2 (5.50) outsiders to bring him to the Emirates this transfer window.

Instead, Juventus are priced at just even money (2.00) to keep last season’s Capocannoniere in Italy, having reportedly already agreed personal terms with the former Real Madrid man.

With Paul Pogba looking increasingly likely to make a record-breaking transfer to Manchester United this summer, money is not likely to represent an issue for the Bianconeri.

Nevertheless, Napoli’s refusal to accept anything less than the hefty €94 million release clause in the 28-year-old's contract is sure to cause some consternation among the Juventus board, who have insisted they will not be held to ransom.

With the San Paolo outfit also unwilling to entertain the idea of any potential swap deal involving the likes of Roberto Pereyra or Simone Zaza, a move to Turin is far from a foregone conclusion.

Sadly for Arsenal fans, it is also difficult to imagine Wenger forking out the necessary funds to secure forward’s signature, meaning odds of 13/8 (2.63) could well prove a sensible bet on him remaining in Naples beyond the closure of the transfer window.

On the other hand, money has rarely been an issue for Chelsea, who can be backed at 12/1 (13.00) to sweep in and steal Higuain in a move that would upset not only the Blues’ London rivals, but also new manager Antonio Conte’s former club.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Juve: €45m plus Rugani for Higuain

http://www.football-italia.net/87700/juve-€45m-plus-rugani-higuain

 

Jul 20, 2016

 

Mediaset Premium claim Juventus offered €45m plus Daniele Rugani for Gonzalo Higuain, but Napoli turned them down.

 

The Partenopei have been adamant they will not negotiate a part-exchange for Higuain, so are only prepared to accept the full €94m release clause in cash.

 

That hasn’t stopped Juve trying, as according to Mediaset Premium this evening they have proposed €45m plus defender Rugani.

 

Napoli had previously tried to sign centre-back Rugani for over €20m, as Maurizio Sarri worked with him at Empoli.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

ADL: ‘I haven’t talked to Higuain’

http://www.football-italia.net/87668/adl-‘i-haven’t-talked-higuain’

 

Jul 21, 2016

 

Aurelio De Laurentiis “hasn’t spoken” to Gonzalo Higuain, but doesn’t think he’d go to Napoli’s “historic rivals” Juventus.

 

Last season’s Capocannoniere has been linked with a move to the Bianconeri, but his current club are insisting on payment of the €94m release clause.

 

With Paul Pogba seemingly close to a €125m move to Manchester United, it has been suggested that the Turin club could do that, but the Partenopei President dismisses that.

 

“You’re confusing unilateralism with bilateralism,” De Laurentiis scolded reporters in a Press conference at the pre-season training camp in Dimaro.

 

“Even if Juventus were to come back into the picture, they’d need Higuain’s consent. On the one hand you profess yourself one of the curva, singing Napoli songs and then you go to Napoli’s historic rival?

 

“The game of games has always been with Juventus. I haven’t spoken to Higuain, so all these allegations are coming from the media, driven by different agendas.

 

“The only offer I’ve had was from the Atletico [Madrid] President [Enrique Cerezo] a month ago and I told him we couldn’t do it.

 

“He offered me €60m plus two or three players and I said no.

 

“Who would Higuain be betraying? Himself. You shouldn’t be under the curva which bears the colours of the team and singing songs of love if you then want to leave. It [leaving] would be a contradiction, also because Juve and Napoli are likes cats and dogs.

 

"It would be the height of absurdity if he did something like that."

 

Giulio Donati’s agent revealed that his client is in talks with the Partenopei, but De Laurentiis wouldn’t be drawn on that.

 

“We’re working on various areas on the pitch, in a lot of directions. There’s this stupidity about contracts, we take 10 minutes to finalise a contract, even with image rights.

 

“We’re after Donati and 10 others, we need a right-back, maybe it’d be better to have someone who can play either side, then we need one or two midfielders.

 

“Then we’ll see whether or not we need a replacement for Higuain. Even without Higuain we came second [in 2013].”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Higuain skips Napoli pre-season?

http://www.football-italia.net/87724/higuain-skips-napoli-pre-season

 

Jul 21, 2016

 

Reports suggest Gonzalo Higuain may not join Napoli in Dimaro on July 25 as planned.

 

The Argentinian striker is being heavily linked with a move away from the Partenopei, but club President Aurelio De Laurentiis expects him at the pre-season training camp.

 

According to calciomercato.com, while Higuain is not on strike as with Amadou Diawara at Bologna, he is not keen to turn up to the training camp.

 

Pipita arriving in Dimaro would cause a media circus, so he may ask permission to join the team in Naples in August, providing a medical certificate.

 

However, the website doesn’t rule out a secret meeting with De Laurentiis as happened last year, when the pair met in Venice to discuss a contract renewal which ultimately never arrived.

 

Higuain’s release clause is €94m, and the Vesuviani have made it clear they won’t offer any discounts.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Napoli slam Tuttosport on Higuain

http://www.football-italia.net/87770/napoli-slam-tuttosport-higuain

 

Jul 22, 2016

 

Napoli have released a statement slamming Tuttosport for a story about Gonzalo Higuain.

 

The newspaper reported today that the striker is furious with the Partenopei, and isn’t returning calls from President Aurelio De Laurentiis.

 

Higuain’s agent has already announced that no renewal will be signed with the Vesuviani, and Juventus are believed to be interested.

 

However, the club has strongly denied that their star striker is refusing to speak with the President.

 

“Napoli read with amazement as Tuttosport wrote today, without following the journalistic rules which provide for verification of sources, that President De Laurentiis had made 'empty' calls to Gonzalo Higuain who is 'not responding'," a statement on the Partenopei’s official website began.

 

“This ‘news’ obviously doesn’t correspond to the truth and it seems truly incredible that a title which is part of an entrepreneurial group led by Roberto Amodei could degrade itself with such low-level gossip without confirmation from at least one of the two parties.

 

“If someone says that Higuain is receiving calls from De Laurentiis and is not answering those calls, a good journalist should, by professional obligation, check with De Laurentiis to see if this ‘news’ corresponds to reality.

 

“This never happened and in fact this doesn’t correspond with the truth.”

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Report: Higuain flies in for Napoli

http://www.football-italia.net/87795/report-higuain-flies-napoli

 

Jul 22, 2016

 

Gonzalo Higuain, his brother and father will all be at Napoli’s pre-season training camp on Monday, it’s reported.

 

Sky Sport Italia claim the striker intends to meet up with his teammates on schedule at the Dimaro retreat.

 

There had been serious doubts, as Higuain is pushing for a transfer with Juventus and Arsenal particularly interested.

 

Napoli have made it clear they will not negotiate, so anyone who buys Pipita must pay the full €94m release clause.

 

The report states not only will Higuain attend, but he will be accompanied by brother Nicolas and father Jorge.

 

Nicolas is the most important figure here, as he also acts as his agent.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Conflicting reports on Higuain

http://www.football-italia.net/87801/conflicting-reports-higuain

 

Jul 22, 2016

 

While some sources claim Gonzalo Higuain will be at pre-season training for Napoli, others suggest he rented an apartment in Turin.

 

Juventus remain the favourites should he leave the Partenopei, though Arsenal and even Paris Saint-Germain are also options.

 

The situation remains up in the air and can probably only be clarified on Monday, when he is expected at the Dimaro training camp.

 

Sky Sport Italia claimed this evening that Pipita would be flying in on schedule, accompanied by his brother Nicolas – who also acts as his agent – and father Jorge.

 

However, the Corriere della Sera newspaper published a report that Higuain has already signed a rental agreement for an apartment in Turin.

 

The report is full of detail, naming the address as Piazzetta Brosio in the Crocetta area, that Higuain viewed the apartment with his brother over the last few days and even agreed to include two Juventus season tickets as part of the deal.

 

Napoli have made it clear they will not negotiate, so anyone who wants Higuain must pay the €94m release clause.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Report: Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain has signed a contract with Juventus

http://www.blackwhitereadallover.com/2016/7/23/12262180/gonzalo-higuain-

napoli-juventus-2016-serie-a-summer-transfer-rumors

 

Jul 23, 2016

 

Just as Juventus' first International Champions Cup game saw the second half arrive, word in Italy broke regarding much, much bigger matters. Like, you know, Gonzalo Higuain matters.

According to Sky Sport Italia, Higuain has not only undergone medical examinations in Madrid ahead of his rumored move to the five-time defending Serie A champions, but the 28-year-old Argentine has put pen to paper on a five-year contract with Juventus through the 2019-2020 season. Connect the dots and that means that Juventus will be sending a massive amount of cash to Southern Italy to get the player's release clause triggered.

Juventus have reportedly called Napoli to inform them that they intend to trigger the release clause, which is the next logical step considering the other main parts of the deal have supposedly been completed already.

 

 

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Gonzalo Higuain has signed contract until 2020 with Juventus. His wage will be 7,5M€/season. Soon Juve will pay release clause to Napoli

12:09 PM - 23 Jul 2016

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That sure is something. I mean, when arguably the most reputable source for transfer news in Italy is reporting that medicals have been done and a contract has been signed, it's time to take things rather seriously, I suppose.

What this means for the rest of Juventus' transfer campaign — namely the future of Paul Pogba, because it's only natural to think about it with how much money is involved — still remains to be seen. For all we know, Beppe Marotta could come out later in the day and say all of this is a bunch of crap and that Juve are not even interested in paying anything close to Higuain's release clause.

But if this is true — and like I said, Sky is Italy's most reliable source for transfer happenings — then they've just added the world-class No. 9 that has eluded them for some time now. And teaming him with his countryman in Paulo Dybala? Wowzers. That starting striker partnership is just insane to think about.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Napoli Star Completes Secret Juventus Medical

http://forzaitalianfootball.com/2016/07/napoli-star-completes-secret-juventus-medical/?

 

Jul 23, 2016

 

A transfer to Juventus for Napoli star Gonzalo Higuain could be completed very soon after all, as the striker has completed a medical.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis previously said that there was no deal in place for the Argentine international to leave the side, and it was expected that the Bianconeri had since given up on their chase.

New reports from Sky Sport Italia suggest, however, that a medical examination took place in secret in Spain on Friday, where Higuain met with Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici.

There is reportedly already a deal in place between Juventus and the player himself, as he looks set to sign a four-year contract worth €7.5 million per year.

Negotiations between La Vecchia Signora and the Partenopei management had looked to be stalling, however it is likely now that the Serie A champions will meet the release clause in Higuain’s contract to secure a deal.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Multiple reports: Higuain has signed for Juve

http://www.football-italia.net/88221/multiple-reports-higuain-has-signed-juve

 

Jul 23, 2016

 

Multiple reports claim Gonzalo Higuain has already undergone a Juventus medical and they’ll pay Napoli the €94m clause.

 

The extraordinary suggestion this morning is that he had his medical in Madrid yesterday.

 

There are even photographs online of Higuain's blood tests, taken at La Moraleja hospital in Madrid.

 

Directors Fabio Paratici and Beppe Marotta were present, which is why they were notably absent from last night's Serie A fixture list draw.

 

The 28-year-old also put pen to paper on a contract until June 2020.

 

The wages on offer are believed to be €7.5m per year, shattering their current salary cap.

 

As he'd be given back his image rights, something Napoli always want to retain, the wage would essentially rise to €10m.

 

According to Sky Sport Italia, Juventus have informed Napoli that they intend to pay the full €94.7m release clause over a two-year period.

 

The Corriere della Sera newspaper had also reported that Higuain rented an apartment in Turin, promising to include two Juventus season tickets for the landlord.

 

Pipita is expected at Napoli's pre-season training camp in Dimaro on Monday.

 

Last season he shattered the Serie A scoring record that had stood since the 1960s, netting 36 in 35 games.

[Socrates 7962]

 

 

Napoli turn to Bacca

http://www.football-italia.net/88222/napoli-turn-bacca

 

Jul 23, 2016

 

With Gonzalo Higuain already undergoing a Juventus medical, Napoli are turning their focus to Milan hitman Carlos Bacca.

 

This morning there are multiple reports, complete with photographic evidence of blood test forms, that Higuain underwent a medical for Juve in Madrid yesterday.

 

The Bianconeri are prepared to pay the full €94m release clause, although it’s reported to be spread out over two years.

 

Napoli are in desperate need of a big name replacement to appease the fans.

 

Mauro Icardi is the first choice, but Inter won’t want to sell for less than €55m.

 

According to Sky Sport Italia and other sources, Bacca is the most likely candidate for the Stadio San Paolo.

 

The Colombian scored 18 Serie A goals for Milan last term, albeit with very little decent service, and would relish Maurizio Sarri’s all-attack system.

 

He is on the market, as he doesn’t fit into Vincenzo Montella’s plans and Milan need to raise funds quickly due to the delays over their Chinese takeover.

 

It means Bacca is a deal that can be done very quickly for €30m, though it was already reported this morning that the initial proposal was €20m plus creative midfielder Omar El Kaddouri.

 

Bacca rejected a move to West Ham United, as he wants a Champions League outfit.

 

However, there is an issue for Napoli, as Milan set a July 31 deadline for Bacca to find a new club or he'll have to stay at San Siro.