Arsenal tried to sign former Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain earlier this summer but was outbid by Juventus who activated his £80million buy-out clause, according to Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
The Gunners have been long linked with Higuain but had made a serious attempt to sign the Argentine this summer but their bid was relatively lower than Juventus as Napoli has decided to cash him on.
Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have also made contact with the club but the president confirms their bid was too low to consider.
The 28-year old is the highest goal scorer in Serie A as he has earned a name for himself in the country with his impressive form in-front of goal since moving to Naples.
“We received a request from Arsenal,” De Laurentiis told the London Evening Standard.
“Personally I also received a request from Atletico Madrid but they didn’t put enough money on the table.”
“We were not ready to sell him – for me, Higuain was not for sale,” he added.
“One year earlier I offered another five-year contract to Higuain and his brother [agent]. It was more money than what he is getting right now from Juventus.”
Arsenal eventually signed Lucas Perez from La Liga side Deportivo La Coruna to increase the depth in their striker force. However, Wenger has gone on with a gamble which has seen Alexis Sanchez play as a central forward and the club has been in terrific form with the Chilean in the centre of the attack.
The Gunners have now won five Premier League games in a row as their striker problems have got a short term solution with Alexis Sanchez. The fans would also be happy with Arsene Wenger’s summer spending as he brought the players efficiently and economically when compared to their title rivals.