Higuain reportedly close to securing move to Naples.
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has denied reports that Napoli have agreed a deal with the club over the transfer of Gonzalo Higuain.
The Argentine striker is expected to leave the Spanish capital this summer, with both Napoli and Arsenal monitoring his situation closely.
Reports in Italy on the weekend had suggested that Rafa Benitez’s side had agreed a €35m fee with the Spanish giants, with personal terms the only thing standing in the way of the move along with an agreement over image rights.
However, Ancelotti has told reporters that there is no such agreement in place for the 25-year-old, and also that he would be keen to keep hold of the striker ahead of the new season.
“Higuain to Napoli a done deal? Not true, I don’t have any news about this,” Ancelotti told reporters after his side’s 6-0 friendly win over Bournemouth as quoted by Goal.com.
“We still have to speak about Higuain as a Real Madrid player at this point.
“I spoke to him this week. He is a Real Madrid player and until we have news we have to consider him as a Real Madrid player and I would like him to stay with us.
“He is very important to us and nothing else, it is not my business to judge the price of a player,” he concluded.
Despite Ancelotti’s show of faith in his striker, it is still expected that he will leave this summer, although at this stage it is unclear as to whether Napoli have made an official bid.
The Partenopei have already done business with Los Blancos this summer, signing both Jose Callejon and Raul Albiol, and appear to be determined to make it a trio of signings.
It was understood that Arsenal had shown a firm interest in the player earlier this summer, but with Higuain’s price-tag continuing to increase, it remains to be seen whether or not Arsene Wenger is still in the hunt to sign the Argentine.
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