The father of Gonzalo 'Pipita' Higuain says the Real Madrid striker is determined to leave the club for another team where he feels valued, after the dethroned former Spanish champions broke their promise to him.
Either one of Higuain or Karim Benzema are expected to leave Madrid during the coming transfer window, and for now it seems that only the Argentine is actually gunning for the exit.
According to his father, Jorge Higuain, Los Blancos had promised to give Higuain a raise 12 months ago, but the raise never materialised.
For that reason, the striker wants out.
"It was like that," Higuain senior told AS.
"With Mourinho, my son and [director] Jose Angel Sanchez. They promised they would do everything so that [Gonzalo] was happy. There was another with Mou, Jose Angel and me. And a third with me and Florentino. A year and this was not fulfilled.
“We have not said anything. Ten days I go I said it again to Jose Angel in a meeting. I do not know if he told the president. I was surprised he has got angry because this has been coming. There are no strategies, this is football and he just wants a change of environment. We never want to leave through the back door, just for things to be clear."
Higuain has been linked to Italian champions Juventus, as he seeks a move to a club where he feels “protected.”
And his father says preliminary talks with the Serie A club’s representatives are already underway.
"We had contact through a friend of the [Juve] president, [agent Ernesto] Bronzetti," he said.
"He looks after the market. I suppose he spoke with them. The clubs must first talk with Madrid and start the negotiation. [Gonzalo] wants to go to a team who recognise him and appreciate him. We want a team who is in Europe."