Barcelona continue striker hunt

Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain has played down reports linking him with a move to Barcelona later this summer, insisting there has been no contact from the Catalan club. The 26-year old only left Spain last summer when he ended his six-year spell with Real Madrid and signed for Napoli, but Barcelona has reportedly added Higuain onto their shortlist as they look for a new striker to lead their line next season alongside Messi and Neymar.

Despite being backed by many fans with a move to Arsenal last year, Higuain swapped Spain for Italy and signed for the ambitious Napoli for a club-record fee of £34.5 million. The forward repaid the club by scoring 17 goals in an impressive debut Serie A season under Rafa Benitez, continuing to establish himself as European football’s most prolific strikers.

While a number of Premier League clubs continue to monitor Higuain, it’s understood Barcelona currently lead the race to sign the Argentina star. But the striker has revealed there has as yet been no contact from any club and that he is more than happy to stay with Napoli.

“I have nothing to say because there has been nothing. I know nothing about Barcelona and I feel good at Napoli. Higuain’s father, who is also his agent, added: “Gonzalo feels good at Napoli and he won’t change club. I have nothing to deny because there has been nothing concrete.”

Higuain may be on Barcelona’s radar but he isn’t top of the Spanish club’s wish-list. The South American striker the Catalans have singled out as their number one target is Uruguay’s Luis Suarez. The Liverpool star faces an uncertain future in England after his latest biting incident resulted in him being thrown out of the World Cup and being slapped with a four-month worldwide football ban, but Barcelona remain keen in a striker who showed his best and worst sides during his brief but memorable cameo in Brazil this summer.

The question now remains as to whether it’ll be Barcelona or someone else who try and control one of the world’s greatest yet troubled footballing talents. Despite his undoubted ability, Suarez is biting his way into an early retirement and Barcelona will need to weigh up the risk that would come with signing the Uruguayan.