Arsenal Transfer News: Faouzi Ghoulam Bid Rumours Emerge, Gonzalo Higuain Latest

It's a case of one step forward and one step back at the Emirates Stadium this week following news Arsenal have made a bid to sign Napoli's Faouzi Ghoulam, but Gonzalo Higuain's agent says no offer has come in for the striker yet.

The Gunners have lodged "an offer of around £10 million" for left-back Ghoulam, according to Italian outlet Mediaset (via talkSPORT), who impressed for Algeria at last year's World Cup.

The talkSPORT report mentions Nacho Monreal's position has become uncertain following speculation he could return to Spain, with Metro's Jon Harvey citing Athletic Bilbao as an interested party, per Marca.

Arsene Wenger isn't the only coach interested in rising asset Ghoulam, however, as David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio revealed Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also intrigued in a summer pursuit:

Monreal became the Gunners' first-choice left-back last season ahead of Kieran Gibbs, starting in 26 of his 28 Premier League appearances.

He recently spoke to Greg Stobart of Goal regarding his intention to win more titles during his stay at the Emirates:

After winning two FA Cups in a row, we want to win more. I’d like to win the Premier League, it would be a dream for everyone, but we know it will be difficult. I think we need to start as we finished last season, because we finished really well and on a top level. I think that if we sign one or two top players, we will have more chance to win the Premier League.

Over the last two seasons, the club have signed players like Mesut [Ozil] and Alexis [Sanchez], and I’m sure we’ll sign another top player this summer. I think it’s very important for the team and the supporters because they’re very important for us. If the fans are happy with the players, we feel that on the pitch and we’ll have more of a chance to win the league.

Despite Athletic's interest in cutting a £7 million deal, Wenger won't be cashing in on Monreal this summer, according to the Mirror's John Cross, who adds the Spaniard may even sign a new contract.

Ghoulam started only 11 Serie A matches last season, but he is attracting interest from some of Europe's biggest outfits as a wing-back capable of impressing in attack, notching four assists in 2014-15.

It's likely Monreal's immediate future will have a direct impact on Ghoulam's potential future as an Arsenal player.

Agent Rubbishes Higuain Bid Reports

Many Arsenal fans may have been overjoyed to hear the club was making its move for a forward of Higuain's pedigree, but it's come to light that rumours of a bid were wide of the mark.

Chisanga Malata of the Daily Star quoted the striker's brother and agent, Nicolas, as telling Radio Crc speculation of a £43.5 million offer is false, proclaiming "no offers" have arrived:

No club has asked me about Higuain, and I wonder why De Laurentiis keeps talking about the clause. 

The last time I saw De Laurentiis was at San Paolo after the Lazio match, having dinner with the team and former coach [Rafael] Benitez. Only the President talks about Higuain's clause, and it makes it look like he wants to sell. I think if Napoli want to fight for the Scudetto they shouldn't let Higuain go.

No team has asked me for Higuain, I don't know if De Laurentiis has had any offers, because as I've said I haven't heard from the president for a long time, but I think he'd have called me if there was something concrete.

Footbal Italia reported Higuain's release clause stands at €94 million (£66 million), a fee it's difficult to envision Arsenal paying out in order to land their alleged target.

The comments from Higuain's representative would suggest president Aurelio De Laurentiis is open to selling his player, but the club chief took to his personal Twitter account to quash those rumours, per Amoyal:

De Laurentiis was quoted by Mediaset (via Sky Sports) on Wednesday, pushing home the fact Higuain is not for sale, leaving little room for manoeuvre as he proclaimed:

"There is absolutely no chance that Higuain will leave. Gonzalo is a Napoli player. I have made his (release) clause clear in order to stop the constant speculation that appears in the press. There is a precise clause."

Napoli are under no immediate pressure to sell their hitman considering Higuain has three years remaining on his contract at the Stadio San Paolo.

However, Bleacher Report's Adam Digby showed a mixed message may be shining through, quoting De Laurentiis as saying he'd like the funds gained from a Higuain sale:

With that, it appears Napoli would be willing to cash in on their Argentina international, but only if his suitors were to offer the full value of his release clause fee in excess of €90 million.

Arsenal's hopes of stealing a march in the chase may have been dashed, but the club may yet surprise its fans with another big-money signing later this summer.