Arsenal transfer target agrees to new deal, he now has a massive release clause

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Arsenal have been linked with a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in recent weeks, but he has now agreed to a new contract at his club.

Osimhen wrote himself into Napoli history as he led them to their first league title since Diego Maradona helped win it in 1990.

The 24-year-old scored 31 and assisted five times in 39 games across all competitions last season, and has continued his excellent form in front of goal with six strikes in nine Serie A starts.

Arsenal have been linked in recent weeks as they have been told to sign an out-and-out goalscorer, but a summer deal always felt more likely than a January deal.

Fabrizio Romano reveals Victor Osimhen release clause

Fabrizio Romano has now revealed that Osimhen has agreed to a one-year contract extension at Napoli, with a bumper payrise and a release clause inserted.

“Napoli reach an agreement in principle with Victor Osimhen on new contract with release clause included! It will be valid until June 2026, one more year,” he posted on X.

“Final value of the clause, TDB — could be around €130m as per Sky.

“Victor Osimhen new deal at Napoli will include huge salary rise; Nigerian striker is gonna be one of the best paid players in the history of the club. New deal will be valid until June 2026, one more year as reported yesterday,” he later added.

“Release clause already valid in 2024.”

Is this good news for Arsenal?

Osimhen’s price tag has previously been mooted at around the £150m mark, and given that there is interest from the likes of Chelsea and Real Madrid, a bidding war for the Nigerian would not have been ideal for Edu Gaspar.

If Arsenal are prepared to invest a club-record fee on the striker, then this release clause is a positive. They will not have to negotiate with Napoli, and given that the clause stands at around £112m, this figure is less outrageously high than it could have been.

A one-year extension to insert the clause indicates that Napoli’s expectation is that Osimhen will end up leaving if the clause is met.

Mikel Arteta signed Gabriel Jesus last year, and whilst he has been outstanding in his link-up play outside the box, his finishing has been criticised, and Osimhen would arrive as one of the best goalscorers in Europe.

The Napoli hitman would be a genuine level-raiser upfront for Arsenal, and there are not many options with that level of proven quality who could be available in the summer.