Higuain offered new deal as Madrid try to see off Manchester City mega bid

Real Madrid have issued a hands off warning to Manchester City in their pursuit of Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain.The Spanish giants have opened contract talks with the hot shot amid reports in Marca - a newspaper with strong links to Real - that City are prepared to pay £45million for Higuain and Fernando Gago this summer. Hat-trick hero: Higuain hits his third against Valladolid Higuain believes his return of 21 goals in 27 games this season shouldearn him a pay hike on the deal he signed when joining from River Plateas a 19-year-old in January 2007.  The forward hit three in a 4-1 victory at Valladolid on Sunday and Valdano said afterwards: 'He is a player of great class and we did him an injustice recently.  'He was accused of selfish and unfair things for a striker with such a hunger for goals. You cannot condemn a player with a perfect record for three years. Follow the leader: Higuain is Madrid's top scorer in La Liga'We are talking with him about an extension and there is much scope. He is a player of great interest, not only to Madrid, and we would like to not only renew his contract, but for him to finish his career in Madrid.'City tried to sign Argentina midfielder Gago in January, but ran out of time when a cheaper deal for Kenya international McDonald Mariga fell through on deadline day. Hard to beat: Valladolid midfielder Pele resorts to fouling Real's Gago  Manchester City face hard sell in £32m bid for Juventus keeper Gianluigi BuffonRebellion? We only wanted afternoons off, claim Manchester City slackersWORLD FOOTBALL BLOG: Round-up of the Continent's top weekend actionFollow Real Madrid in our Stats ZoneMANCHESTER CITY FC

Source: Daily_Mail