By DAN KARELL
Napoli President Aurelio De Lauretiis is making sure that every penny earned from the €63 million transfer of Edinson Cavani is well spent.
The Italian club is putting the finishing touches on a €40 million ($53 million) transfer for Real Madrid forward Gonzalo Higuain, which would make him the third Real Madrid player to move to Napoli this summer, following Jose Callejon and Raul Albiol. According to reports in Spain, Higuain will sign a four-year contract worth €6 million with the club.
Before Higuain makes the move official, the club and player’s representatives are working out his image rights, a sticking point on earlier rumored moves to Arsenal and Juventus. The Spanish club are hoping to iron out the deal by the end of this week to officially introduce the 25-year-old next Monday.
Real Madrid signed Higuain from River Plate in December 2006 for €12 million, and the French-born Argentine forward went on to score 119 goals in more than 250 appearances in all competitions.
Here are some more stories to get your Wednesday kicked off:
ARSENAL THROW EGGS INTO SUAREZ BASKET
After deciding not to continue their pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain, Arsenal now seems hell-bent on signing Liverpool’s Luis Suarez.
The London club made a second transfer bid, this one totaling £40 million + £1 pound, releasing a clause in Suarez’s contract that lets him know about any bids for him. Liverpool however have rejected the offer, and manager Brendan Rodgers has been adamant that the Uruguayan forward will stay at the club.
Arsenal’s second offer for the 26-year-old even elicited a response from co-owner John Henry, who tweeted out his thoughts on the matter. According to reports in England, Liverpool have decided that they won’t even consider selling Suarez unless offered a sum of more than £50 million, something that is unheard of from Arsenal’s transfer history.
Suarez, who is still suspended for the first six matches of the upcoming season for his bite on Branislav Ivanovic, made his return appearance with Liverpool on their preseason tour of Australia, playing 20 minutes against the Melbourne Victory and assisting on the game’s final goal in stoppage-time.
MORE RACISM ALLEGATIONS IN ITALY
Racism allegations have once again reared it’s ugly head in the direction of AC Milan.
For the second time in this calendar year, an AC Milan player has walked off the pitch due to alleged racist abuse from the stands. In this situation, the player in question is defender Kevin Constant, a Frenchman of Guinean descent.
During the annual preseason Trofeo TIM tournament, Constant left the field in the 34th minute of a 2-1 defeat to Sassuolo, kicking the ball into the stands in the process after receiving abuse from the fans in Reggio Emilio, where the tournament is being held.
The referee reportedly allowed a substitute to come on for Milan but warned if it happened again during the match that the game would be suspended.
CHIVAS WINS COPA MX OPENER
For the first time since March 10, Chivas Guadalajara has won a competitive match.
The famed Mexican club, who went on a tailspin in the 2013 Clausura, finishing in 17th place with just three wins all spring. However, they’ve started off their fall season strong, winning their Copa MX first round match, 2-1, against Ascenso MX side Necaxa.
A Patricio Araujo header off a corner kick in the 62nd minute broke the deadlock in Chivas’ favor, giving them a lead. In the 77th minute, 20-year-old Giovanni Hernandez sent a delightful left-footed shot off the post and into the net to double the lead in the visitors favor.
Necaxa were able to score a consolation goal through Eduardo Lillingston in the 86th minute but it wasn’t enough to catch up to the Liga MX side.
QUICK KICKS
Wilfried Bony has received a UK work permit, enabling him to complete his £12 million ($18.45 million) move to Swansea City. (REPORT)
Every player and official involved in the two matches in Nigeria with a combined score of 146-0 has been given a life ban by the Nigeria Football Federation for for their actions. (REPORT)
Brazilian international forward Vagner Love has completed a move to Chinese Super League side Shandong Luneng from CSKA Moscow. (REPORT)
Lazio has completed the signing of Argentine midfielder Lucas Biglia for a reported €5.5 million, signing a five-year contract with the Italian side. (REPORT)
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What do you think of these reports? Did you expect to see Napoli sign Higuain? Do you see Arsenal acquiring Suarez? What do you think of the racism incident in Italy? Do you like Chivas’ chances this season to bounce back?
Share your thoughts below.