Trasnfer: Arsenal ready to buy Victor Osimhen for €100m

Italian journalist Ciro Venerato reports that Arsenal is prepared to make a €100 million bid for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, although this is €30 million short of the release clause set by Napoli in his recent contract.

Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has stated that bids below Osimhen’s release clause will not be entertained. This clause exceeds Arsenal’s current transfer record of £105 million, paid for Declan Rice last summer. However, Arsenal hopes to negotiate a deal around €100 million (£85 million). Venerato noted, “[Arsenal] will now try with the Nigerian [who dreams of the Premier League], but not by paying the onerous amount of the clause, but a lower sum. Napoli will have to evaluate the pros and cons.”

Arsenal’s initial target, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, committed to Leipzig for another year, prompting Arsenal to explore other options. Among these is Girona’s Artem Dovbyk, last season’s top scorer in La Liga with 24 goals. Despite this, whispers from Italy suggest Arsenal is targeting a more high-profile signing: Victor Osimhen.

Osimhen has expressed his desire for a new challenge and dreams of playing in the Premier League. His record of 26 league goals in the 2022–23 season, which helped Napoli secure their first Serie A title since 1990, makes him an enticing prospect for Arsenal.

The Gunners are not the only club interested; Chelsea and PSG have also shown interest, especially with PSG needing to replace Kylian Mbappe, who has joined Real Madrid.

At 25, Osimhen is entering his prime and has proven his capability to lead a team to glory. His addition could be the catalyst Arsenal needs to dethrone Manchester City and bring the Premier League trophy back to North London.

However, the financial outlay is substantial, and if the deal falls through or Osimhen fails to adapt to the Premier League, Arsenal could find themselves in a precarious position. With competition from clubs like Chelsea and PSG, Arsenal must act swiftly and decisively.