Arsenal and Mikel Arteta are reportedly searching for a more clinical forward in the summer and they might be looking in the direction of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen.
The Gunners currently have Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus in the centre forward position but neither of the two is quite clinical in front of goal despite their excellent link up play with the rest of the Arsenal team.
In a bid to cap off a great work at the Emirates, Arteta is looking to get a more accomplished striker that will be banging in the goals at the expense of the current strikers at his disposal and it seems Osimhen is the man he could be looking at.
Arsenal completed the signing of Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus on a long-term contract from Premier League champions Manchester City last summer. The transfer fee for the 25-year-old is understood to be around £45m.
Since that switch, Jesus has been battling with injuries as he missed large parts of Arsenal’s season with the Gunners finishing second behind Manchester City in the title race. Jesus managed to score 11 goals in 26 league games but he has made a different start to the season this campaign – three goals in nine games -showing why he remains a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s setup.
Meanwhile, Nketiah, who had more minutes in the absence of the Brazilian, scored just nine goals in 39 appearances across all competitions.
The numbers produced by the two strikers look underwhelming and Arsenal and Arteta are plotting a possible swap deal with Napoli for Victor Osimhen and Jesus.
🚨Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, could be used as part of a swap deal with Napoli for striker Victor Osimhen.
🇧🇷🇳🇬🔴#AFC 🔵#ForzaNapoliSempre pic.twitter.com/5V8YNwWbbr— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) October 9, 2023
What is the latest with Victor Osimhen?
Victor Osimhen’s name has remained in the transfer news since last summer and it does not look like it will be going anytime soon based on the issues around Naples at the moment.
The striker was involved in a Tiktok row when Napoli posted two videos on the social media platform mocking the player for his penalty miss and another one which referred to him as a ‘coconut', has been interpreted as a racially offensive term.
Although Osimhen still has a contract until 2025, he was furious with the whole situation and the club did not attempt to apologise as they only waved off the claims. Meanwhile, reports have already linked him with a move away from the Italian champions next summer.
In addition, Italian transfer market guru Fabrizio Romano is of the opinion that Victor Osimhen may likely leave Napoli at the end of the 2023-2024 season if he does not agree to a new deal within the next three months.
At things stand, he looks very likely to leave in the summer and potential suitors are preparing for the green light .
What Osimhen could offer Arsenal
Osimhen won the golden boot scoring 26 league goals, as Napoli claimed their first Serie A title in 33 years last season.
He has also been nominated for the Ballon d’Or, and FIFA Best awards this year and looks very likely he will be crowned the CAF African Footballer of the Year Award.
Osimhen is already an established striker for his own national team – the Super Eagles. He is also a finisher with 56 goals in 91 appearances in the Serie A.
Arsenal’s system is perfect and the only missing link after the arrival of Declan Rice last summer is a proper finisher and Osimhen is the real deal but will definitely cost a lot of money.
This article was most recently revised and updated 3 weeks ago
