Arsenal and Manchester City linked with Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain

The Argentine striker will leave the Bernabeu this summer

Gonzalo Higuain (GETTY IMAGES)

Confirmation from Real Madrid that Gonzalo Higuain will leave the club this summer has led to frenzied speculation over where the striker will be playing his football next season.

With rumours circulating for some time over the future of the 32-time capped Argentina international, it was confirmed earlier this month by the club's general manager, Jose Angel Sanchez, that the 25-year-old would be leaving.

"In a great club like Real, we believe we need two number nines of a high level," he told French newspaper L'Equipe.

"We have (Karim) Benzema and Higuain, Higuain will leave, Benzema will stay and two others will come."

Those words have sparked a number of rumours over where he will end up, with many stories suggesting he is destined for the Premier League.

Arsenal have already reached an agreement with Higuain according to reports in Spain, although with both the player and his possible new club negotiating the final stages of the season, it seem unlikely that a deal will have been put in place. Yet the Gunners will likely be interested in the striker's services as they look to add some strength to their squad. It is also widely known that manager Arsene Wenger has the kind of money it will take to secure a player who has been valued in the region of £19m.

Other reports have Manchester City down as Higuain's most likely destination. The defeated FA Cup finalists have not replaced Mario Balotelli who left for AC Milan in January and Edin Dzeko is also expected to leave this summer.

Tottenham, who have looked desperately short of attacking options at times this season, can also expect to find themselves linked with the striker who has scored 105 times in La Liga in just 188 appearances.