Arsenal are reportedly in the running to rival Newcastle with a £60million bid for Victor Osimhen after suffering a crushing blow in their pursuit of Dusan Vlahovic.
The Gunners have been hot on Vlahovic's tail during the January transfer window, eyeing up the Fiorentina striker for a big-money move.
However, it appears as though the Serbian is set to join Juventus instead after rebuffing the offers from north London.
Mikel Arteta is on the hunt for a new frontman after his fallout with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw the club captain and star striker dropped entirely from his plans.
The Gunners had been coping well without the Gabon international, but a slump in form has reiterated the need for a top quality forward at the Emirates.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Newcastle are in the running to sign Napoli ace Osimhen.
And Football Italia appear to suggest that Arsenal could also be considering a huge move for the player.
The Nigerian, who was not part of the Super Eagles side at the Africa Cup of Nations, joined Napoli back in 2020 for £66m.
However, that transfer is now the subject of an investigation due to a number of factors, mostly relating to the cost of four players were involved as part of the fee.
Should Arsenal make a move for Osimhen? Comment down below
Osimhen has recently overcome a cheekbone fracture and a positive Covid test to return to action for Napoli, but is yet to be handed a start in 2022 by Luciano Spalletti.
That hasn't stopped both Arsenal and Newcastle registering their interest in the striker though, it is claimed.
Having been ready to go all out on Vlahovic, Osimhen is likely to command a similar fee.
And Gazzetta claim that Napoli President Aurelio De Laurentiis is willing to listen to offers in the region of £60m.
Newcastle brought in Chris Wood for £25m from Burnley earlier this month to add more firepower to their attack.
But a move of this magnitude is still unchartered waters for their mega-rich Saudi owners.
Back at Arsenal, Aubameyang is facing further Arsenal humiliation after being excluded from their mid-season training camp in Dubai, with players not contracted to the club preferred.
Arteta has remained coy over if, and when Aubameyang will come back into the fold, with his stance within the Arsenal squad looking increasingly fragile.
Aubameyang is now back in the capital and has offered an update to fans, playing down any concerns over his long-term future in the game.
However, despite the player appearing to be fit and ready to resume training, the Gunners have made the decision to not include him for their warm weather camp this week.
