Confirmed: Arsenal will win £78million race to sign world star - report

By Will Butcher

Arsenal are in pole position to sign Napoli star striker Gonzalo Higuain, the club's official radio station revealed on Saturday.

It's believed that Napoli are resigned to losing their star man and would rather see him move away from the Serie A than go to rivals Juventus.

Football Italia, citing club's official broadcasting arm Radio Kiss Kiss Napoli, claim that the Gunners have lodged a bid of £42million plus talisman Olivier Giroud.

It has been reported in Italy that Juventus will open talks with Napoli over a deal to sign Higuain and are even willing his activate his daunting £78million release clause.

London rivals West Ham were also believed to have shown an interest in the 28-year-old Argentina international.

The former Real Madrid striker has made it clear that he does not want to extend his Napoli contract, which expires in two years’ time.

The French-born striker has scored 227 career goals, netting an incredible 38 times for Napoli in just 42 games last season, including 36 in 35 Serie A matches.

Arsenal are in the market for a new striker with doubts surrounding Giroud’s ability to be the striker that can win them the Premier League.

The club had been close to signing Leicester''s Jamie Vardy earlier in the window but the deal fell through when the Englishman chose to sign a new contract with league champions Leicester. They have also been linked with Carlos Bacca, Karim Benzema and Alexandre Lacazette.

In other Arsenal transfer news, odds have been slashed on The Gunners bringing in this Premier League Champion.