Arsenal's pursuit of Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain is nearing its conclusion after the player's father was finally given permission by the Spanish giants to open talks with the Gunners, according to
Team Talk. The Premier League club are thought to have been locked in talks with Real for weeks over a move for the Argentinian, 25, and now, sources claim the two parties have at last reached a deal. Real reportedly wanted 25 million (£21 million) for their striker, while the Gunner's opening offer was believed to have stood at 20 million, but it appears as though a compromise has been reached. Any deal for Higuain though would still break the Gunner's club-transfer-record, which remains the £15 million paid to Zenit Saint Petersburg for Andrei Arshavin in 2009. Higuain senior was quoted as telling Fox Sports Argentina:
"We have been given permission by Real Madrid to negotiate with Arsenal. "I will luckily be able to see my son in the Premier League soon."
Higuain is now reportedly set to fly to England and could even have completed his protracted move by the weekend, though his father stressed they have not yet agreed terms with Arsenal.
"There isn't anything signed yet, but the negotiations are very advanced. "We haven't spoken about the contract yet. Arsenal have made a great offer, in the same way as Juventus."
Higuain has scored 117 goals for Real since his arrival from River Plate in 2006 and only Lionel Messi of Barcelona and Real Madrids Cristiano Ronaldo have been more prolific in that time.