Reports in Austria (not such a huge source, I know) says, Real are going to go nuts in this mercato season. Thats quite realistic, cause thats what Real always do, when they choke in one season. Source says they are after Bale, Lewandowski and Neymar.
However, every mercato where Real goes nuts is a great possibility for other clubs to snatch their players, like the one summer where the let go of Van der Vaart, Sneijder and Robben. I can see that happen again and since Higuain is not a first choice player, or wasn't in the last year, I can see a loan + option to buy very realistic! Seriously, why not?