DONE DEAL: Arsenal confirmed the signing of £50m striker after late bid was approved today, Arteta 6th signing confirmed
Football Transfers says Arsenal ‘held initial talks last week’ over a deal to bring in Osimhen in 2024.
Gunners director of football Edu Gaspar has ‘contacted’ Napoli’s owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis, to become informed on the ‘availability’ of the 24-year-old.
Edu has apparently been ‘encouraged’ by Osimhen’s agent, Roberto Calenda, as Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta prioritises the addition of a ‘world-class No. 9’ at the end of this season.
Arteta ‘believes the only way’ to continue challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title is to ‘bring in a reliable striker’.
It is added that Osimhen – whose contract expires in 2025 – is not interested in signing a new deal at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.
Gabriel Jesus was bought by Arsenal for £45million last summer but has struggled with injuries during his time in north London.
The Brazilian striker scored 11 times in 26 Premier League appearances last season as the goals were shared throughout the Gunners squad.
Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka all scored 15 goals each, while Eddie Nketiah and Granit Xhaka both bagged 11.
While the whole Arsenal team likes to play off and around Jesus, he is a terrific all-round striker who lacks a cutting edge in front of goal.
