A round-up of the latest Arsenal news as Kevin De Bruyne drops his honest verdict on one Gunners star amid an update on Fulham’s interest in Emile Smith Rowe’s transfer.
Victor Osimhen’s transfer is a ‘big possibility’ for Arsenal and Manchester United
SSC Napoli star Victor Osimhen may be a ‘big possibility’ for Arsenal and Manchester United in the transfer window. That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who reports that the striker is on the Gunners and Red Devils’ radar and might become a serious option over the summer.
Osimhen’s chances of moving to the Premier League will also only grow if Napoli change the Serie A side’s price tag. The Azzurri have so far priced clubs out of the market for the Nigeria talisman. But Osimhen is becoming a more viable name as the transfer market gathers pace.
Arsenal and Manchester United are tracking Osimhen’s situation after scoring 15 goals in 25 Italian top-flight games last season. But the 25-year-old signed a new contract at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in December that tied him down through to the summer of 2026.
Read more about what Romano has said about Arsenal’s interest in Osimhen, here.
Kevin De Bruyne thinks Oleksandr Zinchenko has done ‘really good’ for Arsenal
Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne feels Oleksandr Zinchenko has had a ‘really good’ first two seasons at Arsenal. The Belgian adored what the Ukraine star offered at Etihad Stadium and believes his talent has transitioned to Emirates Stadium after moving clubs in July 2022.
A move for Zinchenko completed Arsenal’s double raid on Manchester City that month after also signing Gabriel Jesus. The 27-year-old has since made 68 appearances for the Gunners but has suffered sporadic injury problems. He also ended the 2023/24 term out of their side.
Mikel Arteta lost faith in Zinchenko last season and finished it with Takehiro Tomiyasu as the favoured left-back in N5. The four-time Premier League winner with the Citizens only played 49 minutes in the Gunners’ final six top-flight games. But De Bruyne respects what he offers.
“I love Zinna,” said De Bruyne, via BeanymanSports. “Zinna is [an] unbelievable guy.
“I played with him for five years and he did an incredible job for us at City, and then he went to Arsenal and he’s doing really good.
“I think he’s one of the leaders of Ukraine, he’s a close friend and I wish him all the best.”
Read more about what De Bruyne has said about Zinchenko’s time at Arsenal, here.
Arsenal and Fulham are £15m apart for Emile Smith Rowe’s transfer
Fulham have made initial contact with Arsenal to discuss the transfer of Hale End hero Emile Smith Rowe. That is according to Dean Jones, who reports that the Cottagers have sought to explore the 23-year-old’s situation. But the London rivals are £15m apart in their valuations.
Arsenal are open to selling Smith Rowe this summer but, while they may accept £35m, want £40m for his signature. Fulham, however, only value the three-cap England maestro at £25m after struggling for minutes last season. He featured for just 475 minutes in 19 appearances.
Smith Rowe amassed 346 of his minutes during the Premier League season but only started three of his 13 outings. Mikel Arteta even only afforded the Arsenal academy graduate 117 minutes over their final 12 fixtures. He spent nine of those matches as an unused substitute.
Read more about Arsenal and Fulham’s stances on Smith Rowe’s summer transfer, here.
