JUST IN: Arsenal Sporting Director says Arsenal are ready to break the bank for £250k-p/w world class striker with a record transfer fee of over £100M
JUST IN: Arsenal Sporting Director says Arsenal are ready to break the bank for £250k-p/w world class striker with a record transfer fee of over £100M
According to journalist Ben Jacobs, Arsenal are still in contention with Chelsea to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer.
The Nigerian star recently signed a new long-term contract with Napoli, but the deal includes a buyout clause worth £111 million. Osimhen is expected to leave the Serie A giants this summer and Jacobs believes the Gunners cannot be excluded from the race to sign the former Lille striker.
Speaking to Givemesport, Jacobs said that Paris Saint-Germain will free up money with Kylian Mbappe’s exit, but Osimhen’s priority is the Premier League. The journalist added that this should encourage Arsenal and Chelsea, who would be happy to meet his £250,000-a-week demands.
He said: “We still cannot exclude Arsenal in the race for Osimhen. It is also true that PSG have Osimhen very, very high on their list of targets and can move in the market because they will free up money due to the departure of Kylian Mbappe.”
“I am still being told by sources that Osimhen’s priority is the Premier League, which is encouraging for Chelsea and Arsenal. He would be looking for around £250,000 per week, which Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG would all be happy to pay.”
Fantastic striker
Osimhen has been one of the leading strikers in Europe’s top five leagues in recent years. Last season he was at the top of his game with 31 goals as Napoli lifted the Scudetto after more than 3 decades. He hasn’t been at his peak this season due to injuries and national team assignments, but has still scored 10 goals in just 20 appearances.
It is no surprise that he is attracting a lot of interest. PSG need a big striker when Mbappe leaves on a free transfer this summer, but Osimhen has his sights set on a move to the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea are both interested. Osimhen has a slight preference for the Blues, given that Didier Drogba was his childhood idol.
However, Arsenal are in much better shape than the Blues, who are in a transitional phase. Mikel Arteta’s team are at the top of the Premier League competing with Manchester City and Liverpool for the title and Osimhen may be tempted to join them over the Blues, who are in the bottom half of the league table.
