French sides start Higuain race

A number of French clubs have registered their interest in River Plate's Gonzalo Higuain.

The 19-year-old is currently one of world football's most talked about youngsters, with his future for club and country hotly debated.

Whilst Higuain continues to deliberate whether to commit himself to Argentina or France - the country of his birth - the striker will also have to make a decision about his club future sooner rather than later.

Higuain has been linked with a whole host of clubs but a move to Le Championnat looks most likely at present for the teenager who has scored six goals in 11 games for River so far this season.

Marseille, Lyon, Paris Saint Germain and St Etienne have all been linked with the player, and Higuain's father Jorge - who played in France when his son was born - admits he has been in contact with a number of unnamed Ligue 1 sides.

"He is learning French, it is good for him to adapt," Higuain senior told But.

"I talked with French clubs.

"I don't want to say more about those contacts as nothing is settled.

"But things are going well."

Higuain is expected to cost upwards of ‚é¼10 million (£6.7 million) for any club serious about securing his signature in the winter window, with super-agent Pini Zahavi - who owns 50 percent of the player's rights - keen on moving the player to England.

His international future is also far from clear cut with both Argentina and France desperate to recruit the striker.

Les Bleus coach Raymond Domenech has already made public his interest in the River star, and Higuain says he is taking his time to make the right decision.

"Since Raymond Domenech talked about me, everybody asks about France selection," Higuain told AFP.

"It has become a big affair in Argentina.

"I am at the centre of many solicitations these days, I have to think about it because it is a big decision to make."