Gonzalo Higuain to Arsenal: Napoli contract rebel turns down latest offer as Gunners eye swoop - reports

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is an admirer of the Argentine striker

(Getty)

Arsenal have been alerted after long-time transfer target Gonzalo Higuain rejected a new contract at Napoli.

The 27-year-old was expected to head to the Emirates Stadium in 2013 before a surprise move to Serie A, but Arsene Wenger remains confident he will be able to lure him to England eventually.

According to the Metro, the Argentine striker was offered improved terms at the San Paolo but has turned them down, fuelling speculation that he may finally move to Arsenal.

His brother and agent Nicholas said: "We had a meeting with the President [Aurelio De Laurentiis] in Venice 10 days ago.

"We talked about everything. He offered a one-year contract extension, however, in my opinion – and in our opinion – we’ll continue with the original contract, expiring in 2018.

"I don’t think we’ll accept the president’s offer, because the contract isn’t that different to the one we signed before, so for us it’s not a real offer."

The Gunners, who lifted the Community Shield last weekend after beating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley, have also been linked with Real Madrid star Karim Benzema - but the La Liga giants are keen to keep hold of the Frenchman.

Higuain has scored 53 goals in 102 games for Napoli since joining in 2013.