Osimhen ‘waits’ on Arsenal transfer in ‘monstrous’ deal that Chelsea will love

Robin Bairner

• 3 Jun 2024 07:08 BST
• 3 min read

Victor Osimhen is “waiting” on an offer that will allow him to leave Napoli this summer, according to reports from Italy.

It was reported on Saturday that Osimhen is “open” to joining Arsenal amid interest from Premier League rivals Chelsea cooling – but even this transfer could unlock possibilities for the Blues.

Napoli, meanwhile, continue to be confident that the 25-year-old will move on in the summer and are working on possibilities for his replacement.

Gazzetta dello Sports reports that despite a disappointing season, the Serie A outfit still expect Osimhen to leave for his release clause of €120 million. This will see their wage bill drop by a ‘monstrous’ amount while also funding money for his replacement.

STATS

Victor Osimhen

F (CRL)

Napoli

Victor Osimhen

F (CRL)

Napoli

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2023/24

• 32

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• 17

  Goals

• 4

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While Arsenal are seen, in Italy at least, as favourites to land Osimhen, Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku is a likely replacement for the Nigeria international.

Lukaku, it is claimed, is joint favourite for the role along with Girona striker Artem Dovbyk, who finished as the top scorer in LaLiga in the season just ended.

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Osimhen’s Arsenal chances

RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko is still Arsenal’s priority signing in the No.9 role.

FootballTransfers reported exclusively on Saturday that the Gunners have opened the bidding for the forward, who would arrive at around half the price of Osimhen.

The African has been a target for Mikel Arteta’s side, but his high asking price has put them off.

But Osimhen still wants a move to England, which means that he is in limbo currently given no major suitor apparently wants to pay the sum Napoli are asking.

Gazzetta explains: “Victor dreams of the Premier League but Chelsea, a club of which he is a fan because of his idol Didier Drogba, seem to have pulled out of the race because Enzo Maresca is looking for a different striker. This is why the possibility of including Lukaku in a swap deal should not be taken into consideration.

“Arsenal are in the background, Saudi Arabia is more of a temptation for Napoli than the player.

“Everything depends on Osimhen, but for now, no one has made the first move.”