Report: 'One of the best strikers in the world' now thinks Arsenal will bid for him, £102m release clause

One of the best strikers on the planet is now expecting to receive an offer from Arsenal this summer.

The Gunners seem likely to sign a new No.9 this summer amid doubts over the future of Gabriel Jesus – while there has even been talk of a bid being submitted for RB Leipzig No.30 Benjamin Sesko.

Now – however – a different striker thinks Arsenal will try to sign him…

Victor Osimhen expecting a bid from Arsenal

A story by Gazzetta dello Sport now states that Victor Osimhen believes Arsenal will make a bid for him.

The Italian news outlet claim that the Nigeria international thinks the Gunners – or a Saudi Arabian outfit – will be options for him to join this summer, with Napoli already working to find his replacement.

Gazzetta dello Sport believe Napoli – who are set to hire Antonio Conte – could sign either Romelu Lukaku or Artem Dovbyk to replace Osimhen, who has a €120m (£102m) release clause written into his contract.

Napoli are ready to sell the Nigerian, and are in fact said to be banking on his sale to resurrect the side following last season’s incredibly disappointing Serie A title defence, which ended in a tenth place finish.

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The Italian giants will accept Osimhen’s release clause being paid in instalments.

Interestingly, Gazzetta dello Sport add that Chelsea are no longer an option to sign the Napoli No.9 as Enzo Maresca targets a different type of striker, while it is also said that Saudi Arabia is not really a temptation for the man from Lagos.

Osimhen scored 17 goals and provided four assists in 32 appearances across all competitions last season.

Gunners could sign “one of the best”

In our view, if Osimhen really is available this summer, Arsenal have to pounce.

The 25-year-old has been one of the best strikers around for a while now, netting a total of 76 goals in 133 appearances for Napoli.

Osimhen – who Joao Cancelo also called “one of the best strikers in the world” – would provide a tremendous focal point for the likes of Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli to play off in attack with his immense physicality, while his finishing skills should also make Arsenal more ruthless.

Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Ciancaphoto Studio/Getty Images

READ MORE: £170m player now suggests he has no desire to join Mikel Arteta at Arsenal this summer

Be sure to keep an eye on this situation, as the Napoli No.9 himself thinks Mikel Arteta and Edu will bid.