Chelsea have been linked with a $45 million bid for Napoli forward Gonzalo Higuain, according to the Daily Star. The Argentine international, 27, played under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid and after Rafael Benitez left Napoli as manager this week, Higuain could follow him out of the door.
Since signing for the Serie A side in 2013 he has scored 53 goals in 102 games but missed a crucial penalty kick against Lazio last Sunday which would have put Napoli 3-2 up in a game they eventually lost as Lazio went through to the UEFA Champions League on the final day of the season at their expense. Mourinho needs more strikers as Didier Drogba has retired and both Loic Remy and Diego Costa have spent lengthy spells on the sidelines during the 2014-15 campaign. Higuain signed for Napoli for $45 million two years ago and they want to at least break even.
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The Daily Mirror claims that Spanish playmaker Isco is on the radar of Manchester City, as the 23-year-old Real Madrid attacker is being lined up as a replacement for David Silva. Isco signed for Real from Malaga in 2014 for $33 million and worked under current Man City boss Manuel Pellegrini at Malaga. It is believed City could bid $35 million for his services as they want him to succeed 29-year-old Silva.
Manchester United and Chelsea will compete to sign Atletico Madrid’s 30-year-old defender Joao Miranda, according to the Daily Telegraph. Miranda’s contract at Atletico expires next summer and the Brazilian center back would provide both Chelsea and United much-needed cover in the central defensive position. 12 months ago it seemed that Miranda was on his way to United but that move was scuppered at the last minute. Now he would be much more likely to get a regular starting spot with the Red Devils instead of Chelsea.
The Sun newspaper claims that United want either Hugo Lloris or Asmir Begovic to replace David de Gea if he leaves for Real Madrid this summer. The Spanish international goalkeeper released an update on his future earlier this week and with just a year left on his current United deal he seems likely to leave for Madrid. Lloris, 28, has previously spoken of his desire to play in the Champions League, while Begovic has just one year left on his deal at Stoke City and could be a backup option for Victor Valdes next season at United.