Arsenal plot £16.8m move for West Ham target: Gonzalo Higuain deal sparks interest

ARSENAL are reportedly planning to rival two London sides in a bid to sign Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic, who is free to leave the club.

Juventus signed Napoli frontman Gonzalo Higuain for £75million this week and they are now open to offers for Mandzukic.

And the Turin club's willingness to listen to bids has reportedly triggered Arsenal's interest.

That is according to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who claim Watford have also considered an offer for the Croatia international.

West Ham are said to be keen on landing Mandzukic, 30, this summer in a £16.8million (€20m) deal.

The Hammers have £30m ringfenced in manager Slaven Bilic's transfer kitty to spend on a striker.

It is reported that Mandzukic is happy in Italy and has not been tempted by interest from either West Ham or Watford - but that a deal with Arsenal could turn his head.

Arsenal have already failed with moves for Leicester's Jamie Vardy and Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon this summer as manager Arsene Wenger seeks to bring in a new striker.

Mandzukic scored 10 goals in 27 league appearances for Juve last season as the club won a fifth straight Serie A title. 

He only joined Juve last summer from Atletico Madrid in a £13.6m deal and failed to score in three appearances for Croatia at Euro 2016.