Arsenal make transfer verdict on Osimhen pursuit – Report

The English FA Cup record champions, Arsenal, are still keen on the services of Napoli and Super Eagles striker, Soccernet.ng reports. The striker has been increasingly linked with a move away from Italy all season, with Chelsea, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Arabian clubs interested in securing the signature of the CAF Player of the […]

Jun 18, 2024 - 15:00

Arsenal make transfer verdict on Osimhen pursuit – Report

The English FA Cup record champions, Arsenal, are still keen on the services of Napoli and Super Eagles striker, Soccernet.ng reports.

The striker has been increasingly linked with a move away from Italy all season, with Chelsea, Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Arabian clubs interested in securing the signature of the CAF Player of the Year.

However, there is a huge stumbling block to a move abroad. Osimhen’s contract contains a release clause in the region of €130 million, and the club’s president – Aurelio De Laurentiis, is unwilling to listen to offers below the stipulated tag.

As a result, this has forced Chelsea to turn to other options that will cost less, while PSG are choosing to keep faith in Goncalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani.

Osimhen signing a new deal with Napoli just before the winter transfer window opened.

Mikel Arteta is keen on a striker who consistently scores 20 goals per season. This is a void the team has missed since the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, and Osimhen is seen as the perfect striker to fill the vacant spot. Eddie Nketiah is expected to be kept as a backup while the club are willing to listen to offers for Gabriel Jesus.

Arsenal cannot pay Osimhen’s release clause

Osimhen’s dream is to play in the English Premier League, and the former LOSC Lille man has reiterated that he has always watched Chelsea and Arsenal while growing up.

According to an Italian football expert and journalist, Valter de Maggio, Arsenal’s market evaluation of the player is way beyond what Napoli are demanding.

“Osimhen? From what we understand, despite the monstrous offer from the Arab league, Victor does not want to go to Saudi Arabia, and Arsenal in the Premier League don’t value him at 120 million euros but rather just over half at 75 million euros,” the journalist spoke at Radio Kiss Napoli, with quotes revealed by CalcioNapoli24.

There is no doubt that the Super Eagles striker is a top-class player and one of the best strikers in European football. Having won the Serie A title with Napoli, he could transform Arsenal in the final third. He scored 17 goals last season.

However, the Italian club must be more reasonable regarding their demands. Arsenal will need to strengthen the other areas of their squad as well, and they cannot afford to pay €120 million for a striker.

Chelsea, on the other hand, have to make massive sales before straying into the transfer market. In the meantime, they’ve yet to find buyers for Armando Broja, Trevor Chalobah, Ian Maatsen, and Conor Galagher, who have been put up for sale to meet the Financial Fair Play rules.