Real Madrid hope to hold on to Higuain, admits Karanka

Posted Tuesday, May 15, 2012 by Goal.com

Real Madrid assistant coach Aitor Karanka insists that everyone associated with the club has made it clear to Gonzalo Higuain how much he means to them, but concedes that it is now up to the forward to decide if he wants to remain at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Argentina international has fallen behind Karim Benzema in the pecking order this season and has been heavily linked with big-spending Ligue 1 outfit Paris Saint-Germain in recent days, while Serie A champions Juventus are also said to be keen on the 24-year-old.

Karanka is desperately hoping that Higuain, who exited to a standing ovation during Sunday's Liga victory over Mallorca, decides to stay put, but admits that the will of the player is the only thing that matters now.

"I want him to stay, and we saw yesterday [Sunday] what the Bernabeu thinks of him," the former Blancos defender is quoted as saying by AS.

"He has the support of the club and the coaching staff; he is a great player.

"But we've talked with him a long time and no longer need to talk anymore; the facts will speak for themselves."

Higuain, who has netted 12 times in 23 appearances for his country, arrived in the Spanish capital from River Plate in 2007.