Per reports from Spanish media outlet Marca, rumors are Gonzalo Higuain is linked with Athletic Bilbao for the 2020-21 season.
Higuain has spent the last seven years in Italy with a couple of loan spells with Milan and Chelsea in 2018 and 2019, respectively.
Those who remember, Higuain began his career in Europe back in 2006 when he transferred from River Plate to Real Madrid. His first two years were slow to start, bagging two goals in 19 games his first season and eight goals in 25 appearances in 2007.
Higuain picked up the pace his third year, scoring 22 goals in 34 games in 2008 and 27 goals in 32 games in 2009.
Unfortunately for him, Cristiano Ronaldo arrived at the beginning of the 2009-10 season, and Higuain from then on hid in the shadows. He was never able to reclaim the recognition he once had before Ronaldo’s arrival.
It’s been almost eight years since he last played in LaLiga.
With his contract at Juventus ending at the end of the season, it might seem just like any ordinary transfer rumor, until you realize Athletic Bilbao is known for fielding only players from its region.
That might seem confusing to most people. However, Higuain has ancestry tracing back to the Spanish region. He is the great-grandson of a Basque who emigrated to Argentina. Basque Country is located in Northern Spain, southwest of France.
You learn something every day. While I did know Higuain was Argentinian and French (he was born there because his father played in France while he was born), I did not know he also had Spanish roots.
It will be interesting to see if Higuain can regain the form he once showed at Real Madrid and Napoli.
Only time will tell.
