Arsenal and Man United £42.7m transfer target and potential Robin van Persie replacement tells club he wants to leave

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Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool target Gonzalo Higuain has told Napoli that he wants to leave the club, reports the Daily Express.

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This will be a further boost to the interested sides, who had recently learned that the 27-year-old’s price tag had been cut from £66.9 million to £42.7 million, according to the Metro. Both the Gunners and their Merseyside rivals have been linked to the striker by the Daily Express as they look to strengthen their goalscoring ranks ahead of the new season.

The Argentina international would certainly be a fine addition to either, having scored 53 goals in 102 appearances for Napoli over the last two campaigns. He also has a proven record at Real Madrid, where he netted  on 122 occasions in 264 matches.

The forward has made his feelings clear to the Serie A side’s president Aurelio De Laurentiis, but he is aware that the 66-year-old is still trying to keep him at the club. This may be difficult without Champions League football or a high-profile manager in Rafael Benitez to entice the Argentine to stay, following the ex-Liverpool coach’s departure for Real Madrid.

The North Londoners are in need of a top-class striker as they look to challenge Chelsea for the Premier League title next season. Theo Walcott is more used to playing on the wing, and there have always been doubts over Olivier Giroud’s ability to perform against the biggest teams.

Meanwhile, the Anfield outfit need a new forward after their dire campaign without Luis Suarez. Despite their obvious need, the Red may have trouble getting Higuain to sign as they don’t have Champions League football.

Manchester United have also been linked to the Argentine hitman,and they may also be tempted by Napoli’s decision to lower their asking price for Higuain. The Red Devils were previously quoted £70 million for the forward, according to the Manchester Evening News.

The striker would be an ideal replacement for Robin van Persie, who has been heavily linked with a summer departure and is closing in on a move to Turkey, according to The Guardian.

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