Arsenal's much-protracted summer pursuit of Gonzalo Higuain appears to have hit a ditch. The Gunners have been linked with the Real Madrid star all summer and were at one stage said to have been "close" on securing the services of the 25-year-old striker and with it smashing their club-transfer record in the process. However, the move was put on hold for much of June due to Real's managerial situation, which saw them rudderless for almost a month between Jose Mourinho's
exit for Chelsea and the
appointment of his successor, Carlo Ancelotti. With the Spanish giants back on their feet by July, the deal for the Argentinian was expected to go through swiftly, yet news today claims the striker
might yet stay in the Spanish capital this summer. The 25-year-old has three years left on his current deal and the La Liga outfit are in no rush to sell the forward, who might yet factor into Ancelotti's plans ahead of next season, according to reports this morning. That would be a bitter blow for the Gunners, who for so long now have battled for the move to go through. Though that's not to say manager Arsene Wenger doesn't have back-up options, and here, we take a look at 5 Summer Alternatives To Gonzalo Higuain. Click "next" below to get started...