Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has revealed that Arsenal failed with an approach for Gonzalo Higuain during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners were strongly linked with the Argentine striker after he had scored a record-equalling 36 league goals in just 35 matches during the 2015-16 campaign, but a move never materialised.
Higuain eventually joined Juventus in a £75m switch, but De Laurentiis has now confirmed that Arsenal - and Atletico Madrid - were also interested in the 28-year-old.
"We received a request from Arsenal. 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 is quoted as saying by the Evening Standard.
"One year earlier I offered another five year contract to Higuain and his brother. 'I will offer to you x amount'. It was more money than what he is getting right now from Juventus."
Higuain has scored six goals in seven Serie A appearances for Juventus so far this season.
Barney Corkhill
