Transfer news: Arsenal could return for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain after Napoli refuse to meet £35m valuation

Gunners could renew their interest after talks broke down over a £23m move last week

Florentino Perez, has dismissed speculation that Gonzalo Higuain (pictured) is about to join Arsenal (Getty images)

Arsenal could return for Real Madrid’s Gonzalo Higuain after a proposed move to Napoli has reportedly broken down over the £35m valuation of the striker.

The Gunners were close to securing the move for a fee in the region of £23m, but talks broke down when Real demanded £35m instead, forcing Arsenal to consider alternatives such as Luis Suarez.

Napoli, armed with the £55m that they received from the Edinson Cavani to Paris Saint-Germain deal, entered talks with the La Liga side, but although new manager Rafa Benitez is a known admirer, they are not prepared to meet the £35m demanded by Real.

The Italians withdrawal has alerted Arsenal that they may be able to sign the Argentinian for less than the current asking price, though the question remains whether Arsene Wenger will return for Luis Suarez, or he may even go for both forwards.

Arsenal saw a £30m bid for Suarez rejected last week, but it seems they are prepared to launch an improved offer of £40m in the next few days to test Liverpool’s resistance. Reds boss Brendan Rodgers is believed to want no less than £50m for the striker, but the Uruguayan’s agent has claimed that £40m will trigger a release clause in his contract.

Suarez arrived earlier today in Melbourne to meet up with the rest of the Liverpool squad on their pre-season tour of Asia and Australia, and he is set for talks with Rodgers to determine what his future holds.