The 58-year-old says the Bianconeri have not yet conceded defeat in the race to sign the Argentina international, despite reports suggesting otherwise

Juventus general director Giuseppe Marotta has hinted that the club have not given up on signing Real Madrid striker Gonzalo Higuain this summer.

The Argentina international has expressed he wants to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer and the Bianconeri were believed to be leading the hunt for the wantaway forward for much of the close-season.

The 25-year-old, who has a contract with the Blancos until 2016, is suspected to have already agreed personal terms with Arsenal – although a deal is yet to be struck between the clubs – but Marotta thinks that there is still time for the transfer saga to take yet another twist.

Speaking to Sky Sport, he said: “Higuain? I do not want to say anything because there is still so much time left for things to happen.”

The 58-year-old was equally as cavalier when asked about the potential arrival of Carlos Tevez and Stevan Jovetic to Turin this summer from Manchester City and Fiorentina respectively.

“There is no hurry,” he added. “They [Tevez and Jovetic] are both great players but they are also with great clubs, so it would not be right to discuss them.

“I do not want to create an illusion that things are already in motion.”