Arsenal Transfers: Talks held with Victor Osimhen’s agent

Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is high up on Arsenal’s transfer priorities this summer and the club have reportedly held talks with the Nigerian’s agent.

The Gunners are set to bring in at least two forwards in the upcoming transfer window with both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette likely to leave as free agents.

A plethora of strikers have already been linked with a move to north London as Mikel Arteta attempts to find his ideal number nine. Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus looks to be a deal the Gunners could get over the line, and they’re making an ambitious attempt to sign Napoli’s Osimhen.

Arsenal open talks with Victor Osimhen’s agent over summer transfer

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23-year-old Osimhen has struggled with injuries since he made the big-money move to Naples in 2020. The striker still scored 14 times in 27 Serie A appearances last season and he looked for a while to be leading Napoli’s Scudetto assault before they faltered down the stretch.

The Nigerian international boasts a freakish profile. He’s rapid and incredibly athletic; the sort of striker that instils fear in any defence he comes up against.

Thus, it’s no surprise that Arsenal view him as a priority summer target. GOAL’s Charles Watts reports that the player’s agent flew to London last week to hold talks with Edu Gaspar but the Gunners have their work cut out if they’re to bring Osimhen to the carpet next season.

After paying £68m for his services just two years ago, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis will undoubtedly want to garner a higher fee for his star striker this summer. De Laurentiis is desperate to bring the Scudetto back to Naples, and selling Osimhen will be the last thing on his mind.

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Arsenal, though, have identified several other striker targets. Alongside Jesus, whom they remain confident of signing despite interest emerging from Tottenham, The Athletic’s David Ornstein lists Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Alexander Isak, Tammy Abraham and Gianluca Scamacca as alternative options.

19-year-old Czech forward Adam Hlozek is also admired by the Gunners.

Whom Arsenal opt to pursue will be a fascinating sub-plot throughout the summer. Two star centre-forwards are required for the Gunners to make a leap next season, and they’re decisions the club must get right.