Report: £100m player wrote down Arsenal as a potential team he would like to join this summer

Arsenal endured a frantic end to the transfer window as they beat the clock to complete two signings.

Brazilian goalkeeper Neto joined the club on a season-long loan deal, while Raheem Sterling sealed a surprise transfer from Chelsea on a similar arrangement.

Aside from the pair, Arsenal also snapped up Riccardo Calafiori and Mikel Merino as they finished the window with four major signings.

However, the Gunners were also frustrated in their efforts to sign a few of their key targets.

Benjamin Sesko rejected a move to Arsenal in favour of staying at RB Leipzig, while Joan Garcia remained at Espanyol as the Gunners were unwilling to trigger his release clause.

Victor Osimhen was also linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but is now close to a surprise loan move to Galatasaray.

However, recent reports claim the Nigerian striker is intrigued by the prospect of joining Arsenal at some point in the future.

Victor Osimhen explicitly mentions Arsenal as potential destination

Osimhen is now close to joining the Turkish Super Lig side on a season-long loan deal after his moves to Chelsea and Al-Ahli collapsed on deadline day.

According to Standard Sport, the 25-year-old striker has a clause in his contract that allows him to break his agreement with Galatasaray should a top European club make a move for him.

The report also states that Osimhen wrote down the names of a few of the clubs he’d like to join, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern Munich mentioned, among others.

What happened to Osimhen on deadline day?

Osimhen was close to a transfer to Al-Ahli on deadline day, but the Saudi Pro League side opted to sign Brentford striker Ivan Toney instead.

Hours later, Chelsea launched a move for Osimhen, but a deal couldn’t be agreed between all the parties before the deadline, due to which he remained at Napoli.

The Serie A giants responded by leaving the Nigerian international out of their squad and confirmed that he would play no part for the club this season.

Now, Osimhen has received a new lease of life from Galatasaray, with the Turkish transfer window open until 18th September.

Do Arsenal need a player like Osimhen?

The answer is yes and no.

Arsenal currently lack an out-and-out goalscorer, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus scoring just 17 Premier League goals between them last season.

Osimhen certainly fits the bill and is a proven goalscorer, having spearheaded Napoli to their first Serie A title in 23 years in 2023 with his tally of 26 league goals.

However, Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal rejected the chance to sign Osimhen, with Napoli demanding £100m for him earlier this summer.

If Gli Azzurri lower their demands at the end of his loan spell, he could become an option for the Gunners once again.

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