Transfer Target: Gonzalo Higuaín

Scouting Profile

Name: Gonzalo Higuaín
Age: 25
Nationality: Argentinian
Position: Striker/ Centre Forward
Current Team: Real Madrid

Scouting Report

Gonzalo Higuaín has been linked with Arsenal for the last few months and rumours continue to gather pace with every day, particularly following the alleged cooling of interest in Fiorentina’s Stevan Jovetic.

Last season for Real Madrid the Argentinian netted 17 times in 37 appearances, this was despite Jose Mourinho preferring to use Karim Benzema.

Higuaín still managed to score more goals than the highly rated Frenchman, scoring five more times in two less appearances.

Unsettled at Real Madrid, Higuaín has his heart set on a move away and he is exactly what Arsenal need – a powerful striker who excels in his finishing and dribbling abilities.

Higuaín is noted for his dangerous counter attack threat and is often caught offside, however, when not caught offside the player’s skillful finishing is enough to trouble any goalkeeper.

Another asset which adds to his threat on the counter is his acceleration and speed, Higuain is no slouch and would capably support blistering runs from lighting fast Theo Walcott.

His speed and deadly finishing would be a great compliment to the aerial talents of target man Olivier Giroud, and although in the current formation Arsene Wenger insists on, the two players provide interesting options for the manager.

In the same way as Arsenal’s signings last summer, Santi Cazorla and Lukas Podolski, Higuaín is not afraid to shoot from distance and will look to shoot from range if the opportunity arises.

As well as being a complete striker with an eye for goal, Higuaín is not greedy and is more than willing to pass to his teammates if they have a better chance to score, racking up seven assists in the last campaign.

Rarely fouled and sparingly dispossessed the striker has the ability to hold onto the ball until he can pass it onto another player or fire a rocket at the goal.

Final Thoughts

Gonzalo Higuaín is exactly what Arsenal need. A potent, fast, proven striker who has experience in a top European league as well as the Champions League.

His goalscoring record says it all, Higuaín is a quality player and would walk straight into Arsenal’s first team and provide an incentive for Giroud, who has publicly stated he will welcome competition, to up his game in the coming season.

The only trouble is a player of this calibre attracts other clubs, and big clubs at that. Juventus are rumoured to be very interested in the Argentinian’s services and have been for quite some time.

But with the Italian Champions having signed Fernando Llorente and media indicating that a deal for Stevan Jovetic is close, as well as rumoured interest in Carlos Tevez, Higuaín may be destined for Arsenal.

His father met with Arsene Wenger in London recently and talk were said to be very productive, so we will have to wait and see, but things do look very positive right now.