Nigeria forward set to be unleashed against Ghana in World Cup playoff Victor Osimhen attracts interest from Arsenal
Victor Osimhen, whom Nigeria is set to unleashed against Black Stars of Ghana in World Cup playoff, has attracted huge interest from Premier League side Arsenal, according to reports in England.
The Napoli man may lead Super Green Eagles attack as Nigeria face Ghana in last round of Qatar 2022. The forward has been sensational for club and country this season and has attracted interest from Bundesliga, LaLiga and EPL clubs.
Arsenal like many Premier League outfits will enter into summer transfer window for reinforcements.
And Napoli star Victor Osimhen is the latest striker to be touted with a move to the Emirates Stadium. The Gunners desperately need to sign at least one forward in the summer months after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club at the end of January.
If nothing changes in the next few months, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are set to follow the Gabon international through the exit door as they come to the end of their contracts in north London.
Arsenal are planning a significant transfer outlay this summer and look set to receive backing from owner Stan Kroenke. They’re likely to have a number of targets as they aim to strengthen upfront, in central midfield and at right-back, and Osimhen is just one of a host of names linked with Mikel Arteta’s side.
As per Caughtoffside, Osimhen isn’t the only Napoli man on Arsenal’s radar as the north London outfit have also been strongly linked with the Nigerian’s club teammate, Fabian Ruiz. According to transfermarkt, the midfielder is valued at £49.5million, meaning a swoop for both the Spaniard and Osimhen will be costly.
NapoliGazzetta dello Sport, via Sport Witness, has claimed that Arsenal are interested in Napoli centre-forward Victor Osimhen. However, a move will not happen unless the Gunners can cough up around €100million (£84million) for the Nigerian international. It’ll ultimately be interesting to see whether Arsenal pursue the forward at the figure quoted, or whether they believe there’s a better and cheaper alternative out there.
As per La Gazzetta dello Sport, via Football Italia, Newcastle United attempt to sign Osimhen at the end of the season. As well as the Magpies, the Gunners face competition from a number of interested parties, including Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United.
Napoli are in no rush to sell their star, given that his €4m-a-year deal at the Stadio Maradona runs out in 2025. Nevertheless, as aforementioned, President Aurelio De Laurentiis would consider offers in the region of €100million.
The 23-year-old has previously admitted that he came close to joining Arsenal during Arsene Wenger’s trophy-laden time in north London. Speaking to the Independent back in 2020, Osimhen said: “I spoke with Arsene Wenger after the tournament (Under-17 World Cup) ended and he wanted me to come to Arsenal.
“I had a lot of options. Barcelona; Inter Milan; Atletico Madrid; Juventus and the rest. Arsenal was a good option but it wasn’t the best at the time. I wanted to start playing as soon as I turned 18.
