Napoli will reportedly offer Gonzalo Higuain a new two-year extension in a bid to secure his long-term future at the club and ward off interest from around Europe.
As noted by The Express, Arsenal have long been linked with the Argentine international, but have failed to secure his services up to this point.
It appears as though their hopes could be set to take another blow, as the Partenopei are keen to lock down Higuain’s future after what has been a sensational season for the striker thus far.
The former Real Madrid frontman has scored 29 goals in 30 Serie A games this year, leading Napoli’s charge for the Scudetto as they continue to try and hunt down Juventus.
While his current deal expires in 2018 and includes a release clause of €95m that owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is keen to remind their rivals about, it is claimed by La Repubblica, as reported by Football Italia, that both parties are keen on signing a renewal.
The 28-year-old is reportedly set to be offered an extension until 2020 worth €7.5m per season, a €2m per year improvement on his current deal, with a release clause set at over €100m.
It is unclear as to how close those figures are to the truth or indeed if there is an extension on the table given that neither party have confirmed talks.
Nevertheless, provided that they are true and Higuain opts to sign, then it would undoubtedly end all interest from elsewhere in the Argentine striker.
Napoli have impressed under Maurizio Sarri this season, and although they have relied on Higuain’s goals to keep them in the title race, they can be confident of building a bright future at the club.
With Champions League qualification looking likely at the very least, it will allow them to secure the finances to offer Higuain such a deal, as well as go out and sign players to bolster their squad further and to keep them competing for domestic and European honours.