Arsenal face a new stumbling block in attempting to get Gonzalo Higuain's deal over the line.

The Daily Star Sunday says they are insisting on a 20 per cent pay-cut clause if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.

The Gunners are £3m shy of Real Madrid's £25m valuation for the Argentina striker, 25.

All recent contract renewals at the club have included a clause which sees wages cut by a fifth if the north Londoners miss out on Europe's top club competition this season.