EPL Transfer rumour: Jurgen Klopp spotted with Gonzalo Higuain's brother in United States
Napoli star Gonzalo Higuain has been in outstanding form this season, to say the least. The Argentine star has scored 36 goals this season in 35 appearances in the Serie A, and earlier reports have linked him to the likes of Paris-Saint Germain.
A week ago, English media outlet Daily Mirror ran a story ‘Gonzalo Higuain is interested in joining Liverpool as he tries to force an exit from Napoli’, which was a bit surprising considering Liverpool haven’t qualified for the Champions League next season, and how difficult it can be to negotiate with Napoli’s President, Aurelio De Laurentiis.
The Mirror reported Higuain has made it clear he wants to play under Jurgen Klopp. The rumour was not taken seriously by most, although it seems there could be something going behind the scenes.
Yesterday, Bein Sports claimed ‘Napoli's sale of Gonzalo Higuain to Liverpool which should go through very soon’, which again wasn’t deemed seriously. However, things changed rapidly this morning, after Jurgen Klopp was spotted watching the Copa America fixture between Argentina and Chile with Nicolas Higuain at the Levi’s Stadium.
For starters, Nicolas Higuain is Gonzalo’s brother and also represents the player. The Napoli star doesn’t have an agent, and his family takes care of his off-field matters. This, obviously, sent the Liverpool supporters and social media into a frenzy, as many started to believe there might as well be something in it.
What’s more interesting is, Gonzalo Higuain was subbed off in the 74th minute and the picture below shows Klopp leaving the stadium in the 76th minute.
The 28-year-old has another couple of years left in his contract at Napoli, and the player is yet to sign a new deal. Napoli have a tough decision to make, they either sell him this summer or accept a cut-price deal for him next summer, if the player still refuses to sign a new contract.
Higuain has a release clause of £75m, and it remains to be seen if the player and Liverpool can force Aurelio De Laurentiis, who is regarded as a hard negotiator, to lower his asking price.
Liverpool have already five strikers in their squad in Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Christian Benteke, Danny Ings, and Mario Balotelli, so links to Higuain are a bit difficult to believe but reports have suggested Klopp would want to sell Benteke and Balotelli in the summer.