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‘I rejected Arsenal transfer – now I could help them get Alexander Isak or join for £60m’
Victor Osimhen could solve Arsenal’s goalscoring problems eight years after rejecting a move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Nigerian, 26, is one of the hottest strikers in Europe at the moment and will be looking for a new club when he returns to Napoli in the summer once his season-long loan at Galatasaray ends. He’s scored 17 goals in 22 matches since moving to Turkey and is on course to match the 31-goal haul (a career-best) he managed in Naples during the 2022/23 campaign.
Several Premier League clubs are considering a move for him, including Chelsea, who tried unsuccessfully to sign him last summer, Arsenal, and Newcastle. The Gunners, eager to bring in a new No. 9 amid ongoing concerns about Kai Havertz’s inconsistency in front of goal, made a failed attempt to sign Osimhen themselves back in 2016 but could look to rectify that missed opportunity with a fresh approach this year.
A move to Newcastle may end up suiting Arsenal, too, as Osimhen’s arrival would potentially allow long-term Gunners target Alexander Isak to leave St James’ Park.
Isak, 25, has been on fire this season, scoring 19 goals in 27 games for the Magpies. However, it’s understood that Newcastle have slapped a £150million price tag on the Sweden international, which could scupper Arsenal’s hopes of luring him down to London.
Osimhen, on the other hand, is thought to be available for around £60m this summer, with Napoli keen to get him off their books after signing his replacement, Romelu Lukaku, last summer. If he were to join Arsenal, the move would come nearly a decade after he rejected them in favour of a move to Wolfsburg as a teenager.
After shining at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup and firing Nigeria to glory, Osimhen was the subject of intense interest from clubs all across Europe. Ultimately, he chose to sign for Wolfsburg, citing the Bundesliga club’s impressive developmental system as reason for his decision.
“It’s true that a big team like Arsenal wanted me and I feel honoured to be invited over,” Osimhen told the BBC in 2017. “But personally I feel Wolfsburg is a ladder for me to reach my professional goals.
“Yes Arsenal is a good team for young players but Wolfsburg is the best club for me. This the best place for me to learn and develop because my heart is here with Wolfsburg. The club’s plan for my career is very encouraging and I believe with God on my side I can grow to become one of the best players in the world.”
The Chronicle report that Newcastle will consider the chance to sign Osimhen again when his asking price drops in the summer. And while there is no mention that he’d be a direct replacement for Isak, he would offer Eddie Howe plenty of firepower up front should the Swedish star depart.
Arsenal, meanwhile, were heavily linked with Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko during the January transfer window, with their need for attacking reinforcements heightened by injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. A late bid for Ollie Watkins was also lodged, but was hastily rejected by Aston Villa.
Mikel Arteta will now have to wait until at least the summer to secure a goalscorer, but judging by the options emerging, he won’t be short on choices.