ARSENAL FLY TO MADRID TO FINALISE HIGUAIN DEAL

The Argentine striker has agreed personal terms with the Gunners, who
will hold talks with the Spanish giants this weekend as they look to
secure a fee in the region of £20 millionBy Wayne Veysey| Chief
Correspondent
Arsenalofficials have flown out to Madrid to finalise the deal to
bring Gonzalo Higuainto the Emirates Stadium,Goalcan reveal.
The Gunners delegation will hold top-level talks with their Real
Madrid counterparts this weekend as the two clubs negotiate a fee for
the Argentina international.
As reported by Goal on Thursday, Higuain has already agreed personal
terms with Arsenal ahead of a move that is increasingly likely to be
completed within the next 10 days.
ARSENAL CLOSE IN ON HIGUAIN
11/1 Arsenal are 11/1 with bet365 to win the Premier League next season
Preliminary discussions have already taken place between Arsenal and
Real on a fee for the 25-year-old, and the exact figure is expected to
be settled in the Spanish capital over the weekend.
The Gunners are hopeful that an offer around the £20 million mark can
close the deal, while the Spanish giants are holding out for around
£25.5m.
It is understood that Arsene Wenger could make an appearance during
the discussions at some point over the weekend.
Arsenal have agreed a contract with Higuain that will start with a
salary of £100,000-a-week, which will bring him in line with the
club's top earners Theo Walcott and skipper Thomas Vermaelen but,
contrary to reports, will not shatter the club's wage bill.
Nevertheless, Higuain will pocket a bumper pay rise if he completes a
move to the Gunners as he is believed to be earning a relatively
modest £64,000-a-week at Santiago Bernabeu.
Higuain alerted buyers by publicly insisting that he will leave Madrid
this summer following six years in the Spanish capital.
Juventus have also made the prolific forward an offer but there are
doubts about their willingness to pay a £20m-plus fee.
Wenger has made a concerted move for Higuain as he bids to break the
£20m transfer barrier - comfortably breaking the club's record - on
two new players this summer. As revealed by Goal, Arsenal have also
activated the £22m release clause in Marouane Fellaini's Everton
contractbut have not yet been given the all clear to hold official
talks with the player, who is currently on holiday.
Wenger has also shown strong interest in Wayne Rooneyand Fiorentina's
Stevan Jovetic, but Higuain has been told he can leave by Real and the
deal is viewed by Arsenal as easier to secure.
The Argentine international has a prolific scoring record at both club
and internationallevel and will be regarded as a statement signing if
Arsenal can finalise the transfer.