Victor Osimhen mega swap deal on the cards for Arsenal

Carlo Garganese

• 19 Dec 2023 09:52 GMT
• 3 min read

Arsenal believe that Victor Osimhen will join them next summer in what could prove to be a sensational swap deal involving Gabriel Jesus.

That is according to respected Arsenal website The Daily Cannon, who reported an exclusive by Arsenal social media influencer @MoArsenal86.

The exclusive claims that the Gunners expect Osimhen to join at the end of the season.

And the deal could involve Gabriel Jesus moving the other way to Napoli as a replacement for the Nigerian striker.

While it is hard to verify the substance in the report, it is true that Osimhen’s future at Napoli is very much in doubt. His contract expires in 2025, although he is set to sign a one-year extension which will install a release clause of €130-140 million.

The 24-year-old has had a number of run-ins with the club this season, including a fallout with ex-manager Rudi Garcia and a well-publicised TikTok controversy.

Osimhen was mocked for missing a penalty in September on Napoli’s own official TikTok account. The video was later deleted but infuriated Osimhen. There was also an earlier TikTok video comparing Osimhen to a coconut that was not well received by the Nigerian.

A sale at the end of the season by Napoli is certainly very much a possibility, but Arsenal face competition from Chelsea.

The Blues, like Arsenal, have Osimhen near the top of their shortlist in 2024 as they plan to sign a top striker.

Osimhen in 2022-23 for Napoli

Osimhen enjoyed a stunning 2022-23 season, scoring a brilliant 31 goals in 39 appearances in all competitions.

With 26 Serie A goals, he finished the top scorer in the Italian top-flight as Napoli won their first Scudetto in 33 years.

He also struck five times in the Champions League as Napoli reached the quarter-finals before being beaten 2-1 on aggregate by AC Milan.

Osimhen’s absence due to injury in the first leg has been cited as a key reason why Napoli lost the tie.

This season he has scored eight goals in 16 games in all competitions.