Arsenal made a ‘loose approach’ to sign Napoli forward Victor Osimhen in recent weeks with the Gunners enquiring into the conditions of a potential deal.
Osimhen is pushing for an exit from Napoli after informing the Italian side of his desire to leave this summer.
Napoli have agreed to let the 25-year-old depart, though no side has met their asking price for the forward. Osimhen has a release clause of around £109m in his contract in Naples, though Antonio Conte’s side are prepared to do business at around £86m.
Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea have both baulked at that fee, with the former unable to sign Osimhen unless one of Randal Kolo Muani or Goncalo Ramos are sold this summer. Chelsea, meanwhile, have been unable to agree a loan move for Osimhen.
Sky Germany are reporting that Arsenal made a ‘loose approach’ to sign Osimhen earlier in the transfer window as the North Londoners consider a statement centre-forward signing.
Kai Havertz has impressed since being moved into a number nine role at the Emirates, though there remains interest in signing an out-and-out goalscorer.
Osimhen is regarded as one of Europe’s finest finishers and has netted 77 goals in 136 appearances since joining Napoli. He is the highest-scoring African in Serie A history and was the league’s leading scorer as Napoli won a drought-breaking Scudetto in 2022/23.
Who have Arsenal signed this summer?
Arsenal’s first business of the summer was to turn David Raya’s loan move from Brentford into a permanent deal. The Spanish shot-stopper has signed for £27m after winning the Premier League’s Golden Glove in 2023/24, with Arsenal boasting the Premier League’s best defensive record.
Riccardo Calafiori has also joined from Bologna in a transfer worth around £42m, after helping the Serie A side to Champions League qualification last season. Arsenal remain in talks to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino as Mikel Arteta looks to add another option to his engine room.
