Napoli Striker, Gonzalo Higuain has picked Chelsea as his next club, as he prepares to leave the Serie A this summer, reports can confirm.
As per the Metro, Chelsea are considering launching a £29.1 million bid for the Argentina international striker and the player is said to want the move.
Mourinho is thought to be interested in the player as he believes he can challenge both Diego Costa and Radamel Falcao for a starting shirt in the team.
Higuain is also a leading Arsenal target as the player himself has been reported to be keen on joining the Gunners. The former Real Madrid striker had, according to the Daily Star, pleaded with Napoli to allow him join Arsenal this summer.
The report said Arsene Wenger rates the Napoli striker highly, and Arsenal already had a £43.3 million bid rejected by the Italian club.
Daily Star had however, quoted Corriere Dello Sport’s report which said Higuain will force a move to Arsenal by begging for a transfer to go through.
Wenger is looking to bolster his forward line this summer and has the Gli Azzurri’s striker on top of his wish list.
Higuain, 27, was close to joining the Gunners two years ago but opted to join Napoli, who had just hired Rafael Benitez.
The likes of Tottenham and Liverpool have also shown keen interests in the Napoli goal poacher.
However, Tuttomercatoweb says Higuain has chosen to sign for Chelsea because he has wonderful relationship with ex-boss, Jose Mourinho.
In another report by the Independent, Napoli president, Aurelio De Laurentiis told Italian TV stattion Mediaset that Higuain will not leave.
“There is absolutely no chance that Higuain will leave. Gonzalo is a Napoli player.” De Laurentiis went further to say he made his release clause clear in order to stop the incessant speculation in the press.
Hence, the £28 million buy from Madrid will only leave the club if his release clause of £66.8 million is paid. This will indeed scare suitors as they will be of the belief that Higuain is not worth that huge amount.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are eyeing a move for Barcelona’s winger Pedro, and it has been revealed that assist master, Cesc Fabregas has been persuading the Spaniard to join the Blues.
Higuain whose contract runs out in 2018 has been Napoli’s top scorer in the past two seasons. He struck 18 goals and set up seven more in 37 League appearances for Napoli during the 2014-15 season (Telegraph).
Premier League champions, Chelsea begin their new season campaign with a FA Community Shield fixture against Arsenal on August 2.