Arsenal have reportedly identified their main striker transfer target for the summer, which is clear why after the match against Wolves on Thursday evening.
According to The Mirror, The Gunners are set to pursue Napoli’s Victor Osimhen in the summer transfer window, as they have made signing a striker a priority.
Despite the excellent 1-0 victory over Wolves, Arsenal could have extended their lead with a better striker than Alexandre Lacazette, who missed a golden opportunity and at times lacked the aerial ability and necessary pace to be effective on the counter.
Osimhen is the complete forward and would certainly have played an impact part if he was amongst the Arsenal team against Wolves on Thursday evening.
Lacazette was constantly beaten in the air which at times disrupted Arsenal’s build-up play, but Osimhen being six-feet-one tall, he would certainly have been more of a presence with his duals.
There were also moments during the match where Arsenal had created excellent counterattacks against Wolves, however, Lacazette was out of the picture because he didn’t have the speed to match Martin Odegaard's creativity and Bukayo Saka’s directness.
Osimhen is an athletic, quick, and imposing attacker who mixes a lightning rapid 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.
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.”
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.
While Lacazette is certainly a good leader, and leaves his heart out on the pitch for Arsenal, he lacks the clinical nature and physical attributes which would help elevate Arteta’s side and give them a guaranteed spot in the Champions League places.
Osimhen would certainly be an excellent acquisition and it is clear to see why Arsenal have reportedly made him the priority transfer signing ahead of next season.
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