Gonzalo Higuain
Gonzalo Higuain's future may be undecided for some time yet. Reuters

Arsenal’s pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain does not yet show any signs of a successful resolution with Real Madrid claiming that there has yet to be any offers for the player. The Argentina international is widely thought to have provisionally agreed terms with the Gunners and to be on the verge of a transfer for in the region of £23 million. Even Higuain’s father and agent claimed last week that they had been given permission to discuss personal terms. But it is a different message now coming from the Spanish champions.

“We don't want Higuain to leave,” Perez told Univision. “What's more no-one from Arsenal has come to us and made us any offers at all for him. There are no offers on the table.”

It is likely, however, that Perez’s comments could just be another tactic in the lingering negotiating process. Higuain has previously insisted that he wants to leave Madrid this summer, while the club’s general manager, Jose Angel Sanchez, revealed in May that Higuain will be leaving while fellow striker Karim Benzema will stay.

It is also more than possible that Arsenal have been dealing in a bit of brinksmanship, notably with their £30 million offer for Luis Suarez. The bid was, or course, immediately rejected and it’s difficult to envisage the Gunners believing that they will land the Uruguayan forward, especially at that price. More likely is that the bid was a signal to Madrid that they could look elsewhere if a deal for Higuain continues to stall.

Still, Suarez had revealed that he is flattered by the interest from Arsenal. It comes in the latest comments from Suarez insisting that he wants to leave Anfield this summer, yet he has also always claimed that his decision is based on his negative treatment at the hands of the British press. Real Madrid have been strongly linked, but Suarez hinted that his next destination remained undecided.

“There have been no offers yet, but Liverpool know exactly what is going on and what I want,” Suarez told Uruguayan radio station Sport 890. “My agent is in charge, he knows what I want, I am resting and relaxed. I am due back in about ten days, on the 21st of July [for a pre-season match against Melbourne Victory]… a phone call could change everything. It is good to know that I am still valued by teams like Arsenal. Friends call me up to ask if I am moving to Chelsea, to which I laugh.”

With Arsene Wenger also eager to strengthen the center of his midfield, the Daily Star has become the latest publication to link Arsenal with a move for Manchester City’s Gareth Barry. Indeed, the tabloid claims talks have already begun over a potential £4 million transfer. Arsenal are said to be prepared to offer the 32-year-old a one-year contract on wages of £75,000 a week, with the option of a second year.

Meanwhile, with signing an experienced goalkeeper on the agenda, Italy international Federico Marchetti has played down talk of a move to the Emirates. Queens Park Rangers stopper Julio Cesar is thought to be interesting the Gunners, while Cagliari’s Marchetti has long been linked. But the 30-year-old has revealed that he is not aware of any interest.

“I know nothing about Arsenal," Marchetti told Sky Sport Italia. "I'm having a holiday and only thinking about relaxing. And then there is the president, who knows what to do."

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