Italian champions Juventus have signed striker Gonzalo Higuaín from rivals SSC Napoli. The Argentine striker was reportedly linked with Arsenal and Atletico Madrid, but the Old Lady have signed him on a four-year-deal. The signing was confirmed on the official Serie A website on Tuesday. The move comes just six days after Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis said Higuaín “would not go to Juventus”
The fee is believed to be around €94 million (£79 million) making him the third most expensive signing of all time. The 28-year-old is also the most expensive ever South American player after this move.
Juventus sign Gonzalo Higuaín
The striker scored a record 36 goals in Serie A last season and helped Napoli to second in the league. The 28-year-old scored an impressive 71 goals in 94 games for Napoli since joining from Real Madrid. His goals helped the club win the Coppa Italia and Supercoppa. The Argentinian also has 30 goals in 63 games for his country.
The expensive fee for the striker indicates that midfielder Paul Pogba is almost certainly leaving Juventus this summer. However, the club has said Higuaín’s arrival does not mean they have to sell Pogba. The Daily Mail reported earlier this month that Juventus were to sell four players to fund the move for Higuaín, however Pogba was not one. Players mentioned were Simone Zaza, who is linked with West Ham, as well as Mauricio Isla, Daniele Rugani and Roberto Pereyra.
The Bianconeri have been busy this transfer window. Earlier, they signed Miralem Pjanic from AS Roma. They have also signed defenders Dani Alves and Mehdi Benatia from FC Barcelona and Bayern Munich respectively. The club will also bring in highly-rated Marko Pjaca from Dinamo Zagreb.
Some Napoli fans have not taken kindly to the Argentine’s move. Some fans gathered in the City centre to burn kits with Higuaín’s name on the back. Others have held up banners saying “heinous Higuaín“. Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri posted a photo on twitter showing a billboard at Napoli’s pre-season training complex with a defaced photo of the Argentinian striker.
