Arsenal have reportedly held talks over a sensational move for Victor Osimhen, in a development that could have major implications for Mikel Arteta’s attacking options.
According to reports relayed by Sky Sports, Osimhen’s availability has been discussed during conversations between Arsenal and Galatasaray.
The talks are particularly intriguing because the Turkish champions have also been linked with Arsenal players this summer, including Gabriel Martinelli, while the Gunners continue to assess ways of reshaping Arteta’s forward line. It’s understood Arsenal have turned down a £38million bid, but that the club are open to a sale at £50million.
Osimhen only joined Galatasaray permanently last summer following his initial loan spell in Turkey, with the Istanbul giants paying Napoli €75million for the Nigerian international. The 27-year-old remains one of Europe’s most prolific centre-forwards and is currently valued at €75million by Transfermarkt.
Any serious Arsenal move would therefore be a huge surprise – not necessarily because of Osimhen’s quality, but because of the options Arteta already possesses at centre-forward.
Viktor Gyökeres was signed to become Arsenal’s leading number nine, while Kai Havertz remains an important part of the squad and is among the club’s highest earners. Arsenal have also been attempting to find a solution for Gabriel Jesus, who has been linked with a move to Napoli.
Adding Osimhen on top of that would leave Arsenal with an extraordinary concentration of resources in one position. It is difficult to imagine the club committing another substantial transfer fee and a major salary to a centre-forward without another significant departure.
That immediately raises questions over Havertz and Gyökeres. The latter would be an especially surprising departure so soon after arriving, while selling Havertz could potentially generate a significant fee and remove one of Arsenal’s biggest salaries from the wage bill.
There is also the possibility that Arteta sees greater tactical flexibility within his attacking options. Havertz can play in midfield and Osimhen could theoretically operate alongside another striker in certain systems, but accommodating all three on a regular basis would be extremely difficult.
For now, this appears to be an opportunity Arsenal are exploring rather than a transfer approaching completion. Nevertheless, the fact Osimhen’s name is even being discussed makes this one of the more fascinating developments of Arsenal’s summer.
With further arrivals and departures expected before the window closes, keep up with all the latest developments in our Arsenal transfer news.
And if Osimhen did arrive, how would you fit him into Arteta’s side? Create your Arsenal XI here and build your preferred line-up.