Journalist David Ornstein has said that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen would be a ‘bargain’ signing for Arsenal in 2024.
It was revealed yesterday by transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, that Osimhen had agreed to a one-year contract extension at Napoli, with a bumper pay rise and a release clause inserted.
If Arsenal were to sign the Nigerian marksman now, they’d have to trigger a £112 million release clause.
In a market that has seen the likes of Joao Felix and Enzo Fernandez go for triple-figure sums previously, this seems like a reasonable price to pay for a 24-year-old who is scoring goals for fun in Europe.
He plundered 31 goals in 38 matches across all competitions last term, and has continued his magnificent form in front of goal with six strikes in nine Serie A starts this season.
Arsenal have needed to resolve their striker problem for a while and Osimhen could be the player that takes them to the next level.
Ornstein labels Osimhen’s £112 million release clause a ‘bargain’
On the Athletics ‘Ask Ornstein Q&A’, the journalist was asked whether he thought the Gunners would trigger Osimhen’s release clause next summer and he replied:
“I have no information at present to suggest that but of course I suspect he is on the recruitment list of Arsenal and many other leading clubs. Should be another fascinating summer in the striker market. High demand, low supply… expect prices to rocket and therefore 112m for a player of his calibre might represent a ‘bargain’!”
It is no secret that Arsenal need a world-class finisher to complete the missing piece of their jigsaw.
Arteta has watched his strikers, Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, struggle in front of goal this term and squander opportunities that Osimhen would have gobbled up.
It’s the finer details, such as signing the Nigerian, that can make the difference in a title race and competing deep into Europe.
Would Victor Osimhen be a bargain?
Osimhen’s price tag has previously been mooted at £150 million and considering there was interest from European powerhouses, Real Madrid and Chelsea, a bidding war wouldn’t have been ideal.
However, paying £112 million for a striker who ranks in the top 7% across Europe’s top five leagues for non-penalty goals, top 3% for touches in the attacking penalty box and shots per 90, as per FBref, could turn out to be a bargain.
Arriving as one of the best goal scorers in Europe and competing with Jesus, whose finishing has been criticised, could be the catalyst for Arsenal to dominate for years to come.
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