After blazing his penalty over the crossbar for Argentina in the Copa América final, Gonzalo Higuaín is not the most popular figure in Argentine football at the moment but that has not stopped the 27-year-old centre-forward from being linked with a big money move away from Napoli. Amid all this reported interest, the Italian club issued a statement earlier confirming that unless the £67 million release clause is met, Higuaín will not be leaving the Stadio San Paolo.

According to Italian newspaper Corriere Dello Sport, Arsenal made a £43.2 million bid earlier in the week but it was immediately rebuffed by the Serie A side and in light of this Napoli released the following statement:

“The club stresses that the Argentine has an existing contract clause of £67 million. No bids below that figure will be accepted, those who want the player will have to match that valuation.”

With Higuaín under contract until 2018 and Napoli’s stance appearing resolute, the Argentina striker will not be going anywhere this summer. This, in spite of his own desire to play in the Champions League.

Napoli missed out on a Champions League spot on the final day of the season when Higuaín was guilty of missing another crucial penalty against Lazio having already scored twice. Rafa Benitez left as manager at the end of the season and Higuaín appears to now prefer a move away but with such an inflated price that looks almost impossible.

Higuaín has an impressive scoring record in Italy as he did in Spain with Real Madrid and at 27 would seem a pretty secure source of goals for any interested club. However, the amount of the clause means that there is far better value on the market elsewhere and unless Napoli change their position, Pipita will be going nowhere.