Mikel Arteta, the Arsenal manager, is said to be interested in signing Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
There have been rumours that the 23-year-old Nigerian international, who has 18 goals in 32 games for Napoli this season, had his agent fly out to London last week for talks with Arsenal.
Arsenal are in desperate need of a new goalscorer, with both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to leave this summer, and have been placed in a position not seen at the Emirates since Robin Van Persie’s departure to Manchester United in 2012.
Gabriel Jesus, the current Manchester City and Brazilian national team striker, has recently been mentioned in connection with the possibility of a new number 9 for Arsenal. Recent events, however, have revealed that Arteta is very interested in Osimhen, the Napoli and Nigerian finisher.
According to CalicoMercato, Arsenal, who were recently disappointed by missing out on the Champions League, made a €90 million offer to Napoli, which was later rejected.
Negotiating with Aurelio De Laurentiis, the president of Napoli, is notoriously difficult. Something the Arsenal board is wary of, possibly explaining why the North London giants are pursuing both Jesus and Osimhen at the same time. The number one target for Arsenal has yet to be determined. If reports of a €90 million offer are true, Osimhen would appear to be that man.
Arsenal must, without a doubt, sign a striker this summer. Arsenal has produced some of the best strikers in European football history, from Ian Wright to Thierry Henry and Robin Van Persie. If they want to return to the lofty heights from which they once ruled English football, they must get it right this summer. Osimhen could be the key to getting them there.
