Gonzalo Higuain 'arrived as a little pig' at Juventus after £75.35m transfer, says Robert Prosinecki

The Argentinian striker joined the Serie A champions for £75.35m last month

Gonzalo Higuain appeared to have gained some weight at West Ham last weekend (Getty)

Juventus striker Gonzalo Higuaín has been branded a “little pig” by former Real Madrid midfielder Robert Prosinecki after appearing to be overweight against West Ham last weekend.

The Argentinian striker joined the Serie A champions for £75.35m last month, reportedly rebuffing interest from Arsenal, before turning out for his new club during a 3-2 pre-season victory against the Hammers at the London Stadium in Stratford.

Higuaín was mocked on social media as pictures emerged of the 28-year-old’s physical condition, prompting Prosinecki to say he was “shocked” by the apparent weight gain.

“I was shocked to see Higuaín, he is even more fat than me!” Prosinecki, now manager of Azerbaijan, told Jutarnji List. “They paid 94 million for him and he's arrived as a little pig. I can imagine how shocked [manager Massimiliano] Allegri was, after he insisted on his signing. But they will make him fit soon.”

Aurelio De Laurentiis, the president of former club Napoli, has spoken publically about the topic before, asking the striker to “dispose of a pound-and-a-half” during last season.

He said: “Higuaín should dispose of a pound and a half more than he has, as it is almost like he is walking around with a brick in his pocket at the moment. He has to regain his physical form from a month ago, and then also return to scoring goals. However, all of our 24 players can play a part.”

It clearly didn't matter too much as Higuaín scored 36 goals for Napoli last season.