Gonzalo Higuain reveals why he opted for Napoli, despite interest from the Gunners.
Former Arsenal target Gonzalo Higuain has revealed he joined Napoli because he found their proposal ‘more interesting’ than others he was offered.
The Argentina international joined the Serie A runners-up from Real Madrid in a £31m deal last month, despite reportedly agreeing terms with the Gunners.
It is believed Arsenal had agreed in principle a £23m deal with Real before Los Blancos upped Higuain’s price, with the North London club then opting to pursue Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.
But Higuain has revealed he was most attracted to Napoli’s offer, despite Real’s new head-coach Carlo Ancelotti trying to convinced him to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“When the negotiations with Napoli began, Ancelotti tried every way to convince me to stay,” the 25-year-old told Gazzetta dello Sport.
“But I’d already decided and I found Napoli’s project more interesting than the others I was offered.
“The President [Aurelio De Laurentiis] was very important. He convinced me right away and I really liked his project. Here, there is a great desire to win the championship after missing out for such a long time.”
Higuain revealed the lure of playing on the same turf as Argentine legend Diego Maradona was also part of Napoli’s appeal.
“I confess I feel a special sensation inside when I think that he [Maradona] played here for seven years,” the former River Plate star added.
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