Arsenal’s Bold Move: A £72M Gamble
Arsenal has surged ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign highly-rated Serie A forward Victor Osimhen. The Gunners have taken advantage of Chelsea’s wavering interest, engaging directly with Osimhen’s agent about a potential move to the Emirates Stadium. Previously a long-term target for Chelsea, the Blues appear to have cooled their pursuit of the Nigerian striker due to his hefty release clause.
Osimhen has been nothing short of spectacular since leading Napoli to a Scudetto in the 2022–23 season, netting 31 goals across all competitions. This stellar performance initially attracted Chelsea, but the high cost of his release clause has seemingly become a barrier. Now, Arsenal has seized the opportunity, reportedly tabling a £72 million bid for the prolific striker.
According to recent reports from Italy, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has flown to France to discuss a potential transfer of Osimhen to Paris Saint-Germain with PSG’s president. However, Italian journalist Giovanni Scotto has disclosed that Arsenal is actively pursuing the former LOSC Lille star. Writing for Il Roma via Football.London, Scotto mentioned:
“He will take some time because the Nigerian shouldn’t move before July. He’s waiting for the Premier League with his agent, who has spoken to Arsenal, while Chelsea seems to have slipped away.”
Chelsea appears to have decided against chasing the Nigerian forward. The high release clause and Osimhen’s injury history are significant concerns. Despite his current injury, Osimhen remains an outstanding center-forward with remarkable finishing skills.
With Chelsea no longer in the running and Benjamin Sesko off their radar, the Blues will need to explore alternative options. They cannot afford another season without a reliable goalscorer leading their attack.
Securing a deal for Osimhen will be challenging if no club is willing to meet his release clause. The only feasible solutions are for a club to pay the asking price or, less likely, for Osimhen to wait until his contract expires in two years.