Arsenal now told how £150m target really feels about Chelsea in transfer twist

Arsenal have now received an update on the plan Victor Osimhen has for his future.

FootballTransfers reported over the summer that Arsenal sporting director Edu had held talks with Napoli over the prospect of agreeing a deal for striker Victor Osimhen in the future.

Arsenal have since been told that the forward is likely to move on from the Serie A outfit at the end of the current campaign, as talks over a new contract have broken down.

However, the Gunners will also know that Osimhen won’t come cheap. The Italian club have slapped a £150 million price tag on the talismanic 24-year-old goalscorer.

Osimhen is just one of the options Arsenal are considering when it comes to new strikers. Ivan Toney has been heavily linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta is also an admirer of Brighton and Hove Albion sensation Evan Ferguson.

However, Osimhen is far more proven than either of those two at the highest level. He was in prolific form last season, firing Napoli to a league title triumph, as he netted 31 times in 39 appearances, across all competitions.

So far this season, Osimhen has been as devastating in front of goal as ever, and can already boast about having six strikes under his belt after just ten outings.

There’s no doubt that securing the Nigerian’s services would represent sensational business for Arsenal, and would be a real statement of intent.

Victor Osimhen news could alter Arsenal transfer plans

According to journalist Nizaar Kinsella, speaking on the London Is Blue podcast, Osimhen would rather join one of Arsenal’s London rivals. Kinsella said, “Chelsea like him. Osimhen likes Chelsea, I had the information for a little while. Victor Osimhen ‘has always loved’ Chelsea.”

“It’s basically Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs competing in the battleground and Osimhen would probably pick Chelsea out of the three.”

This twist may well cause Arsenal to reconsider how much effort they put into their pursuit of the player. The Gunners could end up wasting valuable resources, and miss out on other targets, whilst chasing a lost cause if Osimhen does indeed have his heart set on a move to Stamford Bridge.

The Blues would likely be able to at least match, if not outdo, what Arsenal might offer the player in financial terms. Arteta and Edu will also certainly be keen to avoid another drawn out bidding war with the club, which they endured and ultimately lost in the battle to sign Mykhailo Mudryk.

Of course, this is not yet a killer blow to Arsenal’s chances of landing Osimhen. The Gunners will now be keen to find out for themselves just how strong Osimhen’s connection with Chelsea really is.