Napoli slap £80m price tag on Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain’

Napoli have reportedly placed an £80m asking price on striker Gonzalo Higuain amid reported interest from Arsenal.

Reports earlier today claimed that Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger was due for talks with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis over a possible move for the Argentina international, with the Gunners thought to be preparing a bid of €50m (£42.2m) plus Olivier Giroud.

However, BBC Sport now reports that a source close to the Serie A outfit has confirmed that Arsenal will need to trigger Higuain’s release clause of around £80m if they are to prise him away from the Stadio San Paolo.

“There are no direct offers,” he is quoted as saying.

“Only by meeting the release clause of €94,376,000 will the player leave Napoli. Otherwise Higuain will stay for the remaining two years of his deal.”