Why Arsenal’s £60m Victor Osimhen transfer talk is rubbish

Arsenal will not be signing Dusan Vlahovic this January. This much everyone can be agreed on. The towering striker has snubbed north London in favour of Serie A. Move on.

Move on to what exactly, though? Everyone has heard the names of Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jonathan David and Alexander Isak relentlessly since, each with their own complications and hurdles when it comes to securing their signatures this month.

A striker remains high on the list of priorities, and even with options dwindling there is work being undertaken to secure the elusive No. 9 that recent performances have helped hammer home the importance of.

Due to the nature of the rumour mill, Arsenal’s growing desperation, and the need to sell headlines, all manner of names will be linked with a north London switch between now and Monday. The latest of those is Victor Osimhen.

Why Arsenal’s £60m Victor Osimhen transfer pursuit is rubbish with unfounded claims of Arteta eyeing January move for Napoli striker

Starting with the juicy stuff, the Nigerian boasts terrific movement in central spaces, is able to cushion the ball from high positions or on the ground and turn his man before bursting towards goal. His pace over both short and long distances is energetic and marauding, with his physical frame a handful to deal with anywhere on the pitch and especially in the box.

Having just turned 23 years old he’s at an excellent age, while his return of nine goals in 16 appearances for Napoli this season – he’s also had Covid and facial injuries during that time – has carried over brightly from his tally of ten in 30 across all competitions last season. For a first campaign in a new league, and at his age, it was a more than decent return.

By all accounts, Osimhen is a real talent.

Various outlets have picked up this article by Gazzetta dello Sport and spun it on its head. To stir up a narrative, Arsenal have been named dropped. They are, quite literally, not mentioned in the article. Anywhere.

Brushing over the fact that Napoli would never sell Osimhen for £60m with a matter of days left in the window – and have only paid around half of the €71.3m plus €10m bonuses they still owe Lille for signing him 18 months ago – it’s pure fabrication. Newcastle are mentioned, and that’s it.

It’s got fans excited as the player in question is top drawer, but these stories then only have even worse consequences when said player doesn’t sign and everyone blows their top off.

As suited as he may be to the Premier League with his ever improving skillset, physical dominance and intelligent movement, this is one to nip in the bud while the rest of social media waxes lyrical and puts together the ‘Victor Osimhen – Welcome to Arsenal – Skillz & Goalz 2k22’ compilations.