Why Osimhen may not join Arsenal this summer

Arsenal are looking to bolster their options in the front as they look to go a step better than the last season

Victor Osimhen has been linked with a number of teams all season with Arsenal and Manchester United appearing regularly as Premier League interests.

While Osimhen has stated his desire to remain at the Diego Maradona Stadium and fight for the Serie A, reported interests from abroad are seen as a pointer to the possibility of a move.

Napoli owner, Aurelio De Laurentiis is known in football business to be an unrelenting, hard-as-nails negotiator who hardly compromises. After paying €80m for the former Lille forward two seasons ago, he’s expected to demand a significant transfer fee to part with the 23-year old Nigerian.

Reports from Italy have stated that Napoli are demanding at least €100m for Osimhen and possibilities of any club paying that are narrow.

At the Emirates, where fans are calling for a new striker after a disappointing season by Alexandre Lacazette, the situation is getting clearer.

Arsenal fans feel the absence of an attacker distorted the momentum of the team when it mattered most and with a prominent forward, they may have clinched a Champions League ticket at the expense of city rivals, Tottenham. Lacazette scored just four goals in the Premier League last season, and Pierre Emerick Aubameyang had four in his last fourteen before his well talked-about Arsenal exit.

Eddie Nketiah, in his final year at the Emirates had pushed for a move due to a lack of playing time. With Lacazette misfiring, Nketiah stepped in at the end of the season and scored five goals in his final eight appearances. This proved enough for Arsenal to reintroduce their offer of an extension and for the attacker to dedicate his future to the Gunners.

Nketiah’s contract situation and the high possibility of an extension means Arsenal will look away from Osimhen. The Nigerian, according to The Athletic is not the Gunners’ first choice with Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus better considered as a fit for what Mikel Arteta wants.

Osimhen’s heavy price tag and De Laurentiis unyielding negotiation skills also mean Arsenal are reluctant to push for a move.

As it stands, the Gunners are looking at an attacking duo of Jesus and Nketiah for next season.