“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.
Arsenal summer transfer odds 22/23: To sign for before 3rd September | Sky Bet | ||
Youri Tielemans | 6/4 | ||
Pedro Neto | 8/1 | ||
Marco Asensio | 10/1 | ||
Ismaila Sarr | 16/1 | ||
Houssem Aouar | 20/1 |
You have to be 18+ to gamble. UK only. All odds within this article are accurate at the time of writing (20:15, 31/08/2022). Be Gamble Aware.
Sky Bet New Customer Offer: Bet £5, get £20 in free bets
- Open a new Sky Bet account using this link
- Once registered, deposit and place a qualifying bet of up to £5
- Receive £20 in free bets, credited as 4 x £5 free bets
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.
Midnite Offer: Bet £10, get £20 in free bets
Looking for some free bets to boost your betting fund? New bookmaker Midnite are offering customers the chance to get a £20 bet bonus when they sign up and place a £10 accumulator bet.
- Sign up at Midnite using this link
- Place a £10 bet on 4+ legs, min odds 4.0 bet
- Claim your £20 bonus
18+ New UK Customers. Must bet £10 in total on accas with 4+ legs, min odds 3/1 (4.0). £20 credited as 4x £5 Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only, stakes not returned. Restrictions & T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
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.