Tottenham could play a major role in Arsenal securing the signing of Victor Osimhen ahead of next season. The striker’s demands for Mikel Arteta to sign him hinges on the performance of Spurs.
According to Italian news outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport, Osimhen would be happy to join Arsenal. But there is no definitive agreement yet because the Nigerian international wants to play in the Champions League next season.
Arsenal and Spurs are currently battling it out for the last place in next season’s European elite competition. The Gunners need to sign a striker in the summer transfer window and the club’s next forward acquisition could depend on whether or not Mikel Arteta’s side qualifies for the Champions League as proven by the demands of Osimhen.
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Arsenal are currently in the driving seat for a Champions League place after impressive back-to-back victories against Chelsea and Manchester United have put the Gunners two points clear in fourth place. Spurs have dropped points in games to Brighton and Brentford in the meantime which has provided a major boost for Arteta.
The Gunners will be in desperate need of two new strikers in the summer transfer window with Lacazette’s departure looking likely and despite Eddie Nketiah's recent excellent turn of form, his days are also looking increasingly numbered. Both players’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the season and they have been linked with a move away from the club.
Crystal Palace are hopeful of signing Nketiah on a free transfer in the summer. Patrick Vieira's failed to bring him at the start of this season, with the two clubs unable to agree on a fee, but this will no longer be an issue. Meanwhile, Lacazette has been linked with a return to his former club Lyon.
If Nketiah does depart from the club, along with Lacazette, then Folarin Balogun would be the only remaining striker at the club, meaning a striker signing will be required to combat the quality of the Champions League if Arsenal beat Spurs to a fourth-place finish.
Osimhen is an athletic, quick and imposing attacker. He mixes a lightning turn of pace with long-distance speed and is certainly more than capable of being a prominent threat on the counter-attack for Arsenal.
The Nigerian international certainly would fit the Arsenal profile, and he has previously been courted by former Gunners manager Arsene Wenger. Osimhen has been the star player for Napoli and his national team since making the switch from French side Lille in 2019 after scoring 18 league goals in a single campaign.
Italian journalist Paolo Bargiggia revealed that the Nigeria international was close to joining Arsenal last year before completing a move to the Naples-based club instead and Osimhen himself has previously claimed that the Gunners had enquired for him as a youngster.
Speaking to The Independent back in 2020, Osimhen said “I spoke with Arsene Wenger after the tournament (Under-17 World Cup) ended and he wanted me to come to Arsenal." He said.
“I had a lot of options. Barcelona; Inter Milan; Atletico Madrid; Juventus and the rest. Arsenal was a good option but it wasn’t the best at the time. I wanted to start playing as soon as I turned 18.”
According to Italian news outlet La Gazzette dello Sport, The Gunners have set their sights on Osimhen, and are currently in the lead when it comes to important Premier League clubs chasing his signature. The report also goes on to claim that Napoli are likely to demand £82m for the striker.
If Arsenal does achieve Champions League football next season, then Edu should certainly look to complete a deal for the forward. It is clear that Arsenal will have to spend a large amount of money to solve their striker crisis ahead of next season. The Gunners were right in their decision not to activate the release clause of Alexander Isak, but the similar price quoted for Osimhen, should be a price tag that is met by the Gunners. However, they must first top Spurs to a place in the Champions League next season.
