Arsenal are waiting to close a deal for Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain.

The Observer says Arsène Wenger hopes that the imminent appointment of Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid will allow him to step up his pursuit of the club's striker Higuaín, for whom he is ready to break the Arsenal transfer record.

Higuaín, who has come to appear surplus to requirements at the Bernabéu, nonetheless wants confirmation of where he might stand in the new setup before he makes a decision over his future.

Arsenal's record outlay is the £15m that they spent on Andrey Arshavin in 2009 - and Real president Florentino Perez wants £25 million for Higuain.