By Ohuakanwa Chibuzo
Arsenal is set to make a bold move in the transfer market, with reports suggesting the Premier League club is preparing a €100 million bid for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen. Italian journalist Ciro Venerato indicated that while this offer falls €30 million short of Napoli’s release clause for Osimhen, Arsenal hopes to negotiate a deal.
Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has insisted that bids below the release clause, which exceeds Arsenal’s current transfer record of £105 million paid for Declan Rice, will not be considered. However, Arsenal aims to secure Osimhen for around €100 million (£85 million). “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,” Venerato stated, noting that Napoli will need to weigh their options.
Initially targeting RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal shifted their focus after Sesko decided to stay with Leipzig. They have also considered Girona’s Artem Dovbyk, La Liga’s top scorer last season with 24 goals. Nonetheless, Osimhen has emerged as a primary target due to his impressive performance, scoring 26 league goals in the 2022-23 season to help Napoli secure their first Serie A title since 1990.
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Osimhen has expressed a desire for a new challenge, with the Premier League being a preferred destination. His potential move to Arsenal is also eyed by Chelsea and PSG, the latter needing a replacement for Kylian Mbappe, who has transferred to Real Madrid.
At 25, Osimhen is in his prime and could be pivotal for Arsenal as they seek to end their two-decade wait for a Premier League title and challenge Manchester City. However, the high financial stakes and competition from other clubs mean Arsenal must act decisively to secure the striker.
The outcome of this potential transfer will significantly impact Arsenal’s ambitions, with the club hoping Osimhen’s addition will provide the firepower needed to reclaim Premier League glory.
