Arsenal are favourites to sign Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain after Juventus switched their attentions to Carlos Tevez, according to the
London Evening Standard. The Italian champions have been in dialogue with Real over a deal for the Argentinian international but are so far refusing to increase their initial bid of £18 million. Real are understood to be demanding £25.5 million for the forward, and that has led the Turin club to seek cheaper alternatives, one of which is Manchester City's Tevez. The 29-year old is entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad and should be available for no more than £10 million. And that now makes Arsenal favourites to sign Higuain, with manager Arsene Wenger believed to have tabled a club record bid in excess of £20 million to land the star. The Gunners have a well-documented £70 million to spend on transfers this summer and Wenger is keen to bring in a top quality striker to bolster his attacking options next season. And he is prepared to pay what it takes to land Higuain and smash the club's record transfer fee which is currently the £15 million paid to Zenit St Petersburg for Andrey Arshavin in January 2009. Arsenal would like to wrap up the deal before pre-season training commences on July 4. However, the forward's situation is complicated by the fact Madrid are currently rudderless following Jose Mourinho's move to Chelsea and club officials in Spain would prefer to wait until a new manager is inserted - rumoured to be Carlo Ancelotti - before any deal is completed.