EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal pull out of Osimhen race but Chelsea still face transfer rivals

Steve Kay

• 23 Dec 2023 11:32 GMT
• 3 min read

Exclusive

Arsenal will not continue to pursue a transfer deal for Victor Osimhen, FootballTransfers can reveal.

Osimhen is poised to sign a new deal with Napoli, and while the Nigeria international is a player who has appeared on the Gunners' radar prominently in recent months as they search for a goal-scoring No.9, Mikel Arteta’s side are ready to shelve their interest in the player.

Contact had been made with Napoli and even Osimhen’s representative over a potential transfer, but this has been pushed to one side for now.

The reasoning behind their decision is that they are not prepared to meet the release clause in the 24-year-old new contract with his current side.

Although no figures have been made public over just what this price will be, it is believed that Osimhen will cost in the region of €130-140 million.

Arsenal had previously been hopeful of signing him for significantly less than this as there were only 18 months left on his contract with the Serie A champions. The Emirates side are unwilling to match this new price.

Chelsea face Osimhen competition

Osimhen is still expected to leave Napoli in the summer, with Chelsea continuing to take a good look at the prolific striker. Indeed, the Stamford Bridge side are in pole position to sign the hitman.

But while the news of Arsenal’s decision to withdraw from the race is positive for the Blues, the path is not yet clear for them to sign the former Lille forward.

Real Madrid are still monitoring the striker. While Kylian Mbappe continues to be a major target for Los Blancos, he has made it clear in recent weeks that he does not like playing as a No.9, suggesting that the Bernabeu side will need to invest in that role even if they sign the PSG attacker.

There is also interest from numerous Saudi Pro League clubs, who are looking at the forward as a player they could sign in a coup that would further shake the football establishment.