Home
Gonzalo Higuain's father has confirmed the River Plate youngster has received a contract offer from Real Madrid.
The 19-year-old is highly rated across Europe with a number of clubs keen on his signature. Real Madrid appear to have stolen a march on their rivals and Jorge Higuain admits his son has had a momentous week.
"There were initially his two goals against Boca Juniors, then his call-up to the France team and then a concrete offer from Real Madrid," he told L'Equipe.
"Having weighed up the consequences, we preferred to protect him.
"Gonzalo is shy. It's too much to take up a challenge like that one.
"Remember, six months ago, he was still playing reserve football with River.
"It is not easy to make a decision for the whole of your life. Especially when nothing is pressing. All I want is that my son is happy."
River Plate coach Daniel Passarella has conceded the fact that the teenager will move to Europe in the near future. However, Passarella has stated that a fee of €15 million (£10 million) is not enough for the France-born striker.
He said: "I know there is much demand for him to go to play in Europe, at Real Madrid or somewhere else, and I expect to lose him by the end of the year.
"€15 million for a boy with such technical and physical qualities rarely seen at such a young age is cheap.
"To me, he is worth double, and if I can negotiate, he won't leave so easily."
Barcelona are also keen to sign Higuain, as are clubs across France including Lyon and Paris Saint Germain.
Lyon, meanwhile, are rumoured to be ready to step up their bid to sign long-term Real Madrid target Marcelo.
The Brazilian full back is seen as the ideal replacement for Eric Abidal, who is a target for clubs around Europe.
According to France Football, L'OL official Bernard Lacombe has travelled to Brazil in a bid to try and negotiate a January arrival for Fluminense's Marcelo.
The 19-year-old is highly rated across Europe with a number of clubs keen on his signature. Real Madrid appear to have stolen a march on their rivals and Jorge Higuain admits his son has had a momentous week.
"There were initially his two goals against Boca Juniors, then his call-up to the France team and then a concrete offer from Real Madrid," he told L'Equipe.
"Having weighed up the consequences, we preferred to protect him.
"Gonzalo is shy. It's too much to take up a challenge like that one.
"Remember, six months ago, he was still playing reserve football with River.
"It is not easy to make a decision for the whole of your life. Especially when nothing is pressing. All I want is that my son is happy."
River Plate coach Daniel Passarella has conceded the fact that the teenager will move to Europe in the near future. However, Passarella has stated that a fee of €15 million (£10 million) is not enough for the France-born striker.
He said: "I know there is much demand for him to go to play in Europe, at Real Madrid or somewhere else, and I expect to lose him by the end of the year.
"€15 million for a boy with such technical and physical qualities rarely seen at such a young age is cheap.
"To me, he is worth double, and if I can negotiate, he won't leave so easily."
Barcelona are also keen to sign Higuain, as are clubs across France including Lyon and Paris Saint Germain.
Lyon, meanwhile, are rumoured to be ready to step up their bid to sign long-term Real Madrid target Marcelo.
The Brazilian full back is seen as the ideal replacement for Eric Abidal, who is a target for clubs around Europe.
According to France Football, L'OL official Bernard Lacombe has travelled to Brazil in a bid to try and negotiate a January arrival for Fluminense's Marcelo.
