Arsenal already have Viktor Gyokeres, whom they paid 67 million euros for last June, as well as the even more expensive Kai Havertz, while Mikel Merino can also fill in at centre-forward — and does so very effectively. Yet Arsenal appear determined to sign another No. 9. Not as a rotation option, but as a player who will lead the attack and make waves across England when he arrives at the Emirates. For most of the current transfer window, the focus was on Julián Alvarez, but on Thursday Victor Osimhen suddenly moved to the forefront. He could become one of the defining transfer stories of the remaining two and a half weeks of the window.
Arsenal have been monitoring Osimhen and gathering information on him for some time, but the Nigerian striker had been behind the Argentine on the club’s list of priorities. However, Atletico Madrid are insisting that Julián Alvarez is not for sale and are demanding that interested clubs pay his 500 million euros release clause. As a result, Arsenal have been forced to consider changing their primary target and redirecting their resources towards a more attainable, yet equally high-quality alternative. That is where Osimhen comes in.
The Telegraph reported that Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta brought up Victor Osimhen during negotiations with Galatasaray over the potential sale of Gabriel Martinelli. The Turkish champions have already submitted a 45 million offer for the Brazilian winger and reportedly also asked about Ethan Nwaneri. Berta used the opportunity to sound out Galatasaray regarding Osimhen.
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One year older than Alvarez, Osimhen established himself during his time at Napoli and Galatasaray as one of the most lethal No. 9s in European football. Whether Arsenal actually move to complete his transfer will depend on how the situations involving Martinelli. So far, the reports from the Arsenal camp are not good – the Brazilian is keen only on the Top 5 league as he believes that he is good enough to play elite football. Roma are one of the clubs who are happy to hear those reports, as they are in that category and need a proven starter next season.
Galatasaray have reportedly not set a specific asking price for the striker, who scored 22 goals last season, but they are hoping to at least recover the 75 million they spent to make his move permanent last June. After all, they rejected a 130 million offer from Al Hilal the other day. Martinelli has been an ever-present at the Emirates over recent years after joining from Brazilian side Ituano as an 18-year-old in 2019. Now 25, the forward has played 278 times for the club, scoring 62 goals, including 11 strikes in 53 appearances last season.