Liverpool are the latest club said to be interested in securing highly-rated Argentine forward Gonzalo Higuain, according to reports from the Express.
The Napoli forward has attracted attention from almost all of Europe’s top clubs following his record breaking season in Serie A, in which the former Real Madrid man beat Gunnar Nelson’s long standing record of goals in a single season.
Higuain managed an incredible 36 Serie A goals – including a phenomenal hat-trick in the final game of the season – to beat the record, and added a further two in Napoli’s brief spell in the Europa League to take his total to 38 in all competitions.
Currently at the Copa America in the USA with national side Argentina, rumours were further ignited when Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp was pictured watching the game with his agent and brother Nicolas Higuain.
With Napoli – according to Beln Sports – allegedly close to securing Porto and Mexico striker Hector Herrera as his replacement, the Reds’ fans in the Tavern have been jumping for the joy.
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PRESS THE IMAGE BELOW TO WEIGH UP THE PROS AND CONS TO LIVERPOOL SPLASHING THE CASH ON THIS ARGENTINA STAR
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Pro 1: World Class
Higuain (this season anyway) has proved to be one of, if not the most, potent marksmen playing in European football today.
While this season may have been his finest, the Argentina international has been scoring goals his whole career.
13 in his breakthrough season with River Plate, 121 goals at Real Madrid over 7 seasons despite being the understudy to Karim Benzema, and 26 international goals in 57 appearances for Argentina is impressive.
A proven goalscorer in the prime of his career.
Con 1: Hefty Price Tag
Having endured such a fine season, it is no wonder the Argentine’s valuation has simply sky-rocketed.
However, breaking the world transfer record for the striker may be something out Liverpool’s reach at this moment in time.
The fee for the Argentina star is believed to be in the region of €95 million or more, as Napoli will try to hold on to their prized asset.
Should the Reds splurge that kind of money on Higuain, they will certainly have less money to invest elsewhere which would pose a huge problem.
Pro 2: Signal of Intent
While the money may be a lot, signing a player of Higuain’s calibre and for such a price tag would send other clubs in the Premier League a message of Liverpool’s intent next season.
Klopp has already bolstered his options with Joel Matip, Loris Karius and Marko Grujic as he aims to improve on last season, stamping his authority on the squad.
Adding the former Real Madrid into that mix would have Liverpool looking a formidable side next season.
Con 2: Attitude
Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri stated that Higuain was the ‘best striker in the world’, but also described him as a ‘sensitive’ character with his attitude having being called into question in the past.
Higuain himself noted that a ‘change in mentality’ has helped him find his best form, but would a switch to the Premier League change that?
With the eyes of the world on him at Anfield, could someone as ‘sensitive’ handle the pressure?
