Arsenal Unwilling to Meet High Price for World-Class Striker
Arsenal is expected to have a busy summer in the transfer market as Edu and Mikel Arteta aim to finalize their squad. Despite significant improvements under Arteta since 2019, the Premier League title has remained out of reach for two consecutive seasons.
The Gunners currently lack a dedicated No. 9, and it’s arguable that such a player could have influenced the title race. Arsenal is reportedly in search of a center-forward and has been linked to a player considered “one of the top five strikers in the world.”
Victor Osimhen, the standout performer for Napoli, is the player in question. However, new reports indicate that Arsenal is cooling its interest in the Nigerian international due to his steep price tag.
Osimhen’s Price Tag Deterring Arsenal
Sky Sport Italia journalist Francesco Modugno reports that Napoli is struggling to find potential buyers for Osimhen. “Today he has a €130 million (£113 million) clause that no club seems to be getting close to,” Modugno stated via Calcio Napoli 24. He added that Napoli needs to sell Osimhen to finance their summer business, with PSG and Saudi Arabian clubs being potential destinations.
Osimhen, who moved to Napoli for a reported £70 million from Lille in 2020, has been sensational for the Italian club. This season, the 25-year-old signed a new contract with a £113 million release clause, fueling ongoing speculation about his future.
Osimhen’s Stellar Reputation
Osimhen’s reputation as one of the best strikers in the world is well-earned. Earlier this year, Joao Cancelo described him as “one of the best strikers in the world” in an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport. Similarly, Italian football journalist Mina Razouki told BBC Sport that Osimhen “has got to be one of the top five strikers in the world.”
Despite his impressive credentials, Arsenal appears hesitant to meet the high valuation. It remains to be seen whether they will pursue a less expensive alternative in the coming weeks.
As the summer transfer window unfolds, Arsenal fans will be keenly watching to see how the club addresses this critical position and whether they make a move for Osimhen or shift their focus elsewhere.