Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano has now given an update on what Arsenal target Victor Osimhen has planned for his future.
Arsenal have been linked with a move for Victor Osimhen for some time.
However, such a swoop would certainly represent an ambitious and bold course of action for the north London club, as the Napoli striker will not come cheap. The Italian outfit used to want a fee in the region of £150 million for the 25-year-old.
Now, with the Nigerian forward having penned a new contract with the Naples-based side, he has a release clause fixed at £112 million, as reported by the Evening Standard.
That price tag still means that Arsenal would have to break the £105 million club-record transfer fee they set to sign Declan Rice last summer to secure the services of Osimhen.
It is certainly expected that someone will meet Osimhen’s release clause, though, as the player himself is convinced that he will make a move in 2024.
As stated by Fabrizio Romano in his Daily Briefing, “there’s an important story on Victor Osimhen. Speaking to CBS, he said yesterday that he’s already made a decision on his future – he will move from Napoli in the summer. Although he signed a new contract, there is a release clause there and his decision is to leave in the summer.”
“Chelsea will be in the conversation as he’s always been highly rated there, keep an eye on Arsenal too, while there is also going to be interest from Saudi again. Let’s see how it goes, but he’s confirmed he will be available on the market this summer and keen to try a new experience.”
Why Arsenal need Victor Osimhen
Osimhen would be a hugely exciting addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad. The 31-cap Nigeria international is one of the most highly-rated strikers in European football, and he has been in prolific form so far this season, netting 7 times in 13 league outings for Napoli. Last season, with 26 strikes in 32 appearances, he fired the club to an historic league title triumph.
The Gunners are in dire need of such a prolific presence to lead the attack. Gabriel Jesus has already admitted that goalscoring is not one the great strengths of his game, and the Brazilian has only managed to find the back of the net 3 times in the Premier League so far this season. Equally, Eddie Nketiah also can’t be relied upon to score consistently at the highest level.
Arsenal are now once again a club vying for titles and eyeing up the biggest prizes in the game. In order to get their hands on such silverware, though, they will almost certainly need an elite-level goalscorer spearheading their attack. Osimhen could well prove to be that missing piece.
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