Arsenal have now been told they can sign one of Europe’s most prolific strikers for a cut price, as his individual situation becomes more ‘difficult’.
Following the end of Arsenal’s interest in Benjamin Sesko, reports have been conflicted on whether Edu and his team will continue to chase a new goal-scorer.
At the beginning of the summer, Mikel Arteta was said to have asked for a new striker, a central midfielder and left-back to boost the club’s title hopes next season.
But as has always been the case during Arteta and Edu’s partnership, the club won’t pay over the odds, or become embroiled in a bidding war.
And perhaps that explains any reluctance to chase some of the alternative names on their shortlist, namely Victor Osimhen.
Osimhen has been linked with a move to Arsenal for some time now, a striker who could disrupt the status quo at the Emirates.
But with a £127m release clause this summer, which Napoli have insisted on interested clubs paying, it’s understandable that Arsenal are yet to make a concerted bid.
However, according to a report by Calciomercato, the situation may now be changing in Arsenal’s favour.
Napoli willing to sell Victor Osimhen for £85m in order to solve ‘difficult’ situation
Having informed Napoli of his decision to leave in March, the club expected that the 25-year-old would be in advanced negotiations to depart by now.
But coming towards the end of June, Napoli haven’t received an offer for the Nigerian.
New Napoli boss Antonio Conte wants to bring Romelu Lukaku to Naples, and is unlikely to do so unless Osimhen finds a new club.
And as a result of the ‘difficult’ situation, Napoli are now willing to listen to bids of £85m for Osimhen – a big discount on any price Arsenal would have previously been quoted.
So whilst all seems pretty quiet on the transfer front in N5 right now during Euro 2024, perhaps Arsenal are already making haste of this information behind the scenes.
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Arsenal might not need a striker this summer given Kai Havertz’s form, but a player like Osimhen changes the club’s potential instantaneously.
Where any move would leave Gabriel Jesus is another conversation, but Arsenal can’t act on sentimental merits when it comes to closing the gap to Manchester City.
With the transfer fee and Osimhen’s wages considered, any move would be the marquee moment of Arsenal’s summer business, but it would be one that would disappoint very few fans.
All that being said, one midfielder linked with Arsenal this summer has now hinted at an exit.