Arsenal to rival Chelsea as Arteta rekindles interest in Victor Osimhen

The English FA Cup record Champions, Arsenal, have rekindled their interest in Super Eagles and Napoli striker, Victor Osimhen, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Gunners were a part of the plethora of clubs interested in the services of the former LOSC Lille man, but like most of the parties interested, couldn’t afford to pay his hefty release clause.

Links to Paris Saint-Germain have cooled in recent weeks, and Chelsea, who have had a torrid pre-season campaign that has seen them draw against Wrexham and lose to Celtic, are devising a potential loan+swap deal exchange that’ll see Romelu Lukaku head to Antonio Conte’s team while Osimhen takes the London flight towards Stamford Bridge.

According to Corriere Dello Sport, Arsenal have rekindled their interest in Victor Osimhen, as Mikel Arteta considers the Super Eagles striker a better option than Kai Havertz up-front.

However, there is no tabled bid for the 25-year-old forward, as the 13-time English Premier League winners can only afford to spend €85m while Napoli wait on the possibility of the Lukaku-Osimhen swap deal Chelsea have offered.

Alternatively, Mikel Arteta’s team are also looking at Sporting Lisbon striker, Viktor Gyokeres. The Swedish forward scored 29 goals and provided 10 assists in 33 league games for the Verde e Brancos.

According to The Mirror, Gyokeres would not exactly be a cheaper alternative to Osimhen as his release clause costs nothing less than €100m (£86m).

In the meantime, Arsenal who recently signed Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna, are on the lookout for the conclusion between Chelsea and Napoli as regards the Osimhen-Lukaku swap. Should a positive agreement be reached, the Gunners will table a similar bid to tempt the former Wolfsburg striker to head to the Emirates Stadium.

Osimhen has always held a lifelong dream of playing in the English Premier League, however, his release clause stands in the way.