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Arsenal lead race to sign Napoli star Victor Osimhen

By Ritayan Chatterjee on March 7, 2023

Arsenal are reportedly in front of the queue to sign Napoli forward Victor Osimhen in the summer, as per the Italian journalist Ciro Venerato.

The 24-year-old has been enjoying a stellar campaign this term, scoring 21 goals and notching up three assists in 26 appearances in all competitions.

Luciano Spaletti’s side are on course towards winning the Scudetto for the first time in 33 years this season and are also in the mix to win the Champions League. And the Nigerian has been the mainstay of the Azzurri’s success so far this term.

After displaying promising performances at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona this campaign, the forward has been attracting attention from clubs around Europe with Arsenal being among those who have registered their interest in signing the African in the summer.

Speaking on Domenica Sportiva( translated by Sport Witness), Venerato said that big clubs around Europe have already made contact with the player’s representatives over a potential summer move and Arsenal are currently the favourites to secure the striker’s signature.

Osimhen to Arsenal

However, the journalist says that luring Osimhen away from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona won’t be easy for the north London club as Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are also eyeing a move for him. In addition, Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has slapped a whooping £133m price tag on the 24-year-old’s head.

Venerato said:

“For now, the big clubs only speak with the entourage of the striker. Paris Saint-Germain boast dated relationships with De Laurentiis. After the deals for Ezequiel Lavezzi, Edinson Cavani and Fabian Ruiz, it could be Osimhen’s turn, protege of Campos and Galtier (at Lille).

“The Premier League remains – Arsenal favourite, Manchester United-Chelsea duel. High bar for the price tag. The far-sighted De Laurentiis is asking for €150m (£133m) for his star player.”

Osimhen still has two and a half years left on his current contract so Napoli are in no rush to sell their star man in the summer. However, it has been reported that the Nigerian could leave the Parthenopeans before the end of his current deal as the Serie A side are reluctant to offer the forward a new contract with a big salary hike.

The Napoli ace is quick, strong, brilliant in the air, works hard without possession, can finish off his chances and is also efficient in hold-up play. So, he would be a great acquisition for Arsenal if they were to be able to broker a deal for him in the summer.

However, the reported £133m fee is a huge stumbling block in getting this deal over the line as it is highly unlikely that the north London club will spend that much money to strengthen their number nine position, having already got Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Falorin Balogun, who has been enjoying a stellar season-long loan spell in Ligue 1, in their ranks.