Arsenal to seal double signing of big-name striker and midfielder.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is close to sealing an ambitious move to bring in both Gonzalo Higuain and Marouane Fellaini for a combined fee of around £45million.
The Gunners are determined to end their eight-year wait for silverware, and these two players would significantly strengthen their cause as they look to compete with other big-spending sides for the Premier League title.
Arsenal are believed to have held positive talks with Real Madrid and Higuain, and will sign the Argentine striker subject to him completing a medical at the Emirates Stadium. He will cost around £22million after being placed on the transfer list at the Bernabeu as the Spanish giants look to undergo a summer of big change at the club after disappointing in their quest to challenge rivals Barcelona for the La Liga title.
Higuain has shown himself to be a reliable goal-scorer in his time at Real Madrid, scoring 122 goals in 266 appearances for the club despite usually not being a regular starter. His quality in front of goal would certainly be useful at Arsenal, who are still missing Robin van Persie after selling him to Manchester United last summer.
Higuain also looks likely to be joined by Everton midfielder Fellaini, who will become the Gunners’ record signing at £23million, with Wenger deciding to meet his release clause to bring the big Belgian to the Emirates Stadium.
The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea had also been chasing the 25-year-old, with former Toffees boss David Moyes particularly keen to take his star player with him to Old Trafford, but Arsenal are now leading the chase for Fellaini due to United’s current focus being on Barcelona starlet Thiago Alcantara.
Fellaini has been one of the outstanding performers in the Premier League this season, playing in a new attacking midfield role for Everton having previously been more of a defensive-minded midfielder. He would certainly add both quality and physicality to Arsenal’s occasionally lightweight side, and could do a good job either behind the main striker or as a replacement for Alex Song, whom Arsenal have failed to adequately cope without since selling him to Barcelona last year.
Arsenal have previously not been known to spend big money on established names, but will delight their fans with their ambitions this summer, as the policy of bringing in lesser-known youngsters on the cheap has not paid dividends for the club in recent years.