Arsenal will need to look to sign an alternative to Gabriel Jesus if Edu fails in his pursuit to secure the Brazilian’s signature. Chelsea could hand Arsenal a major favour in Edu signing an alternative after Napoli’s reported interest in Armando Broja.
According to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Napoli have lined up Broja as a potential replacement for Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian international is reportedly a target for Arsenal and Bayern Munich, but will cost around €100million (£84million), which the Gunners have yet to reach.
Osimhen would certainly be an excellent coup for Arsenal if they do miss out on signing Jesus. Chelsea could play a major part in the Gunners securing a potential transfer.
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It is also Chelsea who could be the reason why Arsenal fail to sign Jesus. According to Spanish news outlet AS, Chelsea have reportedly entered the race to sign Jesus in the summer transfer window after being offered a chance to land him. Real Madrid and Tottenham have also been offered an opportunity, according to the report.
However, the Gunners take comfort in Osimhen being the ideal alternative for the Brazilian. Osimhen scored 18 goals in 32 matches this season which is more than Jesus who scored 13 goals in 41 games.
Osimhen replicates Kylian Mbappe’s shooting statistics with both players averaging more than four shots per match and having an expected-goals-per-shot ratio of just over 0.13, which is impressive for the Nigerian international being in the same bracket as Europe’s hottest prospect, Mbappe.
It seems as though Eddie Nketiah is set to stay at the club. According to the Daily Mail, the Hale End academy graduate is closing in on a new contract that will see him stay beyond this summer. The report claims that the details included a five-year deal that would mean he stays at the club until 2027 with a wage of £100,000-per-week. There is also a £5million bonus that will be paid out across the deal, potentially saving the Gunners millions in signing another striker.
Arsenal’s surprising Nketiah decision means that Edu must now target Osimhen as the striker to sign in the summer. Nketiah and Osimhen would create a good striker combination compared to the other forwards the Gunners have been linked with.
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.
The Napoli forward 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.
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 proved that he would be an excellent alternative for Jesus. Chelsea could play a major part in this happening by sanctioning Broja’s move to Napoli.
