Transfer Talk - WHU, Liverpool, Middlesbrough, plus more striker talk

TRANSFER TALK

Transfer Talk-Higuin to leave Napoli

Transfer Headlines

NAPOLI - Nicholas Higuain, the brother and agent of 28-year-old Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain, has given an interview to Closs Continental and told them that the all time top Serie A goalscorer will not sign another contract at Napoli.

"He won't renew his contract with the club. Napoli put a buy-out clause to sell him and we decided not to extend the deal, that will end in 2018."

The buy-out clause that the Napoli fixed was £77.90-million (€94m - AUS$140.58m - US$104.11m) which the player and his agent believe is prohibitive. It is of course, it is to prevent anyone buying him. For a player who turns 29 in December it is more than any club will pay so they are trying to exert some pressure on the club.

"We will see what will happen next year and, with the right conditions, we will wait for the contract deadline.

"Gonzalo is ultra-professional and will respect his contract with Napoli, but we cannot extend at these conditions. We will keep respecting the contract we signed with the club for now, then we will see what happens, if a club will arrive and would be able to sign him."

A clear message to all the European top clubs interested in the prolific Serie A all time top-scorer.

MIDDLESBROUGH - Newly promoted Middlesbrough are attempting to build a squad they hope will be strong enough to keep them in the Premier League. The first season is always the toughest with the extra money in the Premier League allowing a club to be one step ahead of the next seasons newly promoted clubs and with a foothold in the top level. A club has to gradually build from there and Middlesbrough will be hoping to achieve that goal.

Premier League experience can be invaluable and the North East club have targeted Aston Villa's 31-year-old American goalkeeper Brad Guzan, for whom he has a contract until 2017. His Polish passport means there are no work permit issues for him.

BESIKTAS - Sevilla striker and former Tottenham target 31-year-old Fernando Llorente, currently at Sevilla might be on the move after just one season having arrived form Juventus. Bournemouth, Middlesbrough, Espanyol and Lazio have all been linked with moves as have Turkish side Besiktas, for whom he tops the wanted list if Mario Gomez doesn't sign a permanent deal.

LIVERPOOL - If 24-year-old German international midfielder Mario Gotze wants to stay at Bayern Munich then Carlo Ancellotti is happy to keep him, but he won't force him to stay, it has to be the players choice. He is a regular starter for Germany, but not for Bayern Munich so is interesting Borussia Dortmund and Liverpool. Arsenal, PSG and Juventus have all been tracking him but Juventus have signed Miralem Pjanic so have ended interest for this window. His wages demands are £127,000-a-week.

EVERTON - The Liverpool Echo are reporting that new Everton boss Ronald Koeman has decided against offering both 35-year-old's Leon Osman and Tony Hibbert, new contracts to remain at Goodison Park next season. Both players were on the release list issued before Koeman was appointed and he has rubber stamped their retirement. It is a reminder to everyone looking at players around the 20 mark and wondering why Spurs don't sign them, there is not long left in their careers.

LEICESTER CITY - The Foxes continue to be interested in signing 27-year-old (today - Happy Birthday) striker Troy Deeney. but have yet to hold talks with Watford. Crazy figures have been mentioned as Watford try to keep hold of him, however, Deeney has rejected a new contract offer and may see this as his last opportunity to move to a bigger club before he hits 30.

WEST HAM UNITED - The Hammers continue to be linked with all and sundry but without guaranteed European football are finding it very hard to secure their targets. many want Champions League and are thus out of reach until those clubs decide they won't sign them. Like Manchester City and a host of clubs across Europe, West Ham are showing great interest in 19-year old Croatia international and Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Ante Coric. It is thought that Zagreb want £9.94-million (€12m - AUS$17.96m - US$13.29m) for their star youngster.

LIVERPOOL - Liverpool have rejected an offer from WBA for 20-year-old winger Jordan Ibe, a player Tottenham have preciously been linked to. It is thought that Jurgen Klopp wants to send him out on a season-long loan ro develop him and return to Liverpool. If that is the case then we won't be interested in him.