Manchester United and Arsenal have been dealt a huge blow in their pursuit of a world-class striker after Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis categorically ruled out the sale of Gonzalo Higuain.
Higuain, 27, has been linked with a move to the Premier League for the last few years, but will need the likes of United and Arsenal to match his £66.8m release clause to prize him from Napoli.
“There is absolutely no chance that Higuain will leave,” De Laurentiis told Italian TV station Mediaset. “Gonzalo is a Napoli player.
“I have made his [release] clause clear in order to stop the constant speculation that appears in the press. There is a precise clause.”
The Argentina international has finished each of his two seasons at Napoli as their top goalscorer in Serie A with a haul of 17 and 18, respectively. He has also picked up 14 assists in that period and has developed a proven goalscoring record in European competitions.
Check out Higuain's Serie A and Europa League statistics from 2014/15
