“They paid €80m for Ozil!” – Gonzalo Higuain questions Arsenal transfer rejection
Gonzalo Higuaín has reflected on potentially joining Arsenal in 2013 only to be told his signature was too expensive despite the Premier League side breaking their own transfer record a few days later.
The 34-year-old striker, who is currently plying his trade at MLS outfit Inter Miami, had been representing Real Madrid — where he bagged 107 goals across 190 league appearances — when the Gunners first showed interest.
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Arsenal headed into the 2013/14 season looking to to strengthen Arsene Wenger’s squad in an attempt to close the gap on Premier League champions Manchester United plus recent winners Manchester City and Chelsea.
Wenger himself admitted Higuain was a target but for whatever reason the move never transpired with Napoli ultimately benefitting and making the Argentine marksman their go-to centre forward for the next couple of seasons.
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Higuaín is still questioning his failed transfer. “I remember that I was on the verge of going to Arsenal when I went to Napoli, but they said I was too expensive,” he told TyC Sports.
“And a few days later, they paid €80m for Ozil!”
The reported £42.5m fee Arsenal paid to Real Madrid for Ozil’s services would break the club’s transfer record. It has since been surpassed by Alexandre Lacazette, Thomas Partey, Ben White, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pépé.
Ozil would go on to enjoy seven years at the Emirates Stadium, the former German international featured in 184 league matches scoring 33 times while creating 54 goals, though what started out promisingly ended in an ugly divorce. Now aligned with Fenerbahçe there are increasing doubts over his future with the Turkish giants.
