Gonzalo Higuain Opens Up On How Close He Came To Joining Arsenal, He Was Surprised

Gonzalo Higuain says he was surprised when Mesut Ozil joined Arsenal in a club-record deal after the Premier League side said he would be "too expensive" during negotiations.

Just days before Ozil signed for the Gunners from Real Madrid in a reported £42.5 million deal, former Napoli striker Higuain held talks with Arsenal officials over a move.

The 34-year forward, who currently plays in the MLS with Inter Miami, opened up about the situation in a recent interview with TyC Sports.

He said: "Before I went to Napoli there was [a chance to sign for Arsenal]. We had already spoken but they didn't buy me, they buy Ozil for 80 million or something like that.

"They told me: 'We don't have a lot of money to spend. You're expensive'. From there I went to Napoli. Two days later I see Ozil [signs] for 80 million euros."

Higuain, meanwhile, enjoyed huge success at Napoli following a €40 million from Real Madrid. He broke Serie A's single-season scoring record during the 2015/16 season after scoring 36 goals in 35 games.

And in total, the Argentine scored 71 goals in 104 league games for the Italian outfit.

Higuain, who scored 107 goals in 190 league games for Real Madrid during his six year stay at the Bernabeu, also opened up about his time in the Spanish capital during this week's TyC Sports interview.

"They're the biggest club in history," he said. "They have 14 Champions League titles. I think it's the summit for a player.

"To arrive at 19 and play there until I was 26... I was able to touch the sky with my hands and well, I don't think there is more than Madrid."

Higuain added: "In my first year I scored 27 goals and Cris [Cristiano Ronaldo] 26. I go on holiday and I see that they sign [Karim] Benzema and Kaka.

"I call the club and say: 'I score 27 goals and you bring me Benzema and Kaka. Listen to me, I have to come back. What do I have to do?'.

"But that's what Madrid is all about. They bring in players constantly and you have to be competing. That's what makes them the best team in history. You always have to compete with the best."

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Gonzalo Higuain, Real Madrid, Transfers, Arsenal, Mesut Ozil

Jack Kenmare

Senior Journalist at SPORTbible with a passion for long-form journalism. Almost 10 years’ experience across online and print.

@jackkenmare_