Arsenal could return for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen – Gianluca Di Marzio
|Arsenal could consider a move for one of Serie A’s best strikers, according to Gianluca Di Marzio.
The Gunners have been tipped to sign a centre-forward this summer, but the club are yet to make a serious approach.
Napoli star Victor Osimhen has been on Arsenal’s radar, but they are reluctant to meet the £111 million release clause in his contract.
Despite this, Di Marzio reports that the Gunners are not out of the race and could return for his services before the transfer window closes.
The 25-year-old was left out of Napoli’s squad for the first round of the Coppa Italia against Modena on Saturday night.
The Serie A outfit have made it clear that the Nigerian star wants to leave the club before the August 30 deadline.
Arsenal unlikely to pay over the odds for Osimhen
Osimhen has developed into one of the best strikers in Europe’s top-five leagues, but he has a worrying injury record.
The striker has missed over 60 games for club and country with injuries since his move to Napoli four years ago.
This is a warning sign for the Gunners, who have had to deal with an injury-prone Gabriel Jesus for the last two years.
Osimhen netted 17 goals in less than 2,500 minutes last term and he would be a good upgrade on Jesus for Arsenal.
However, we don’t see the club paying over the odds. It has been reported that they value Osimhen at around £64m.
That seems a fair value for the former Lille man. Arsenal could include a player as a makeweight to persuade Napoli.
Osimhen, who was described as ‘world-class’ by Jose Mourinho, has already revealed his dream of playing in the Premier League.
He earns a basic salary of £207,000 per week at Napoli and personal terms should not be an issue for Mikel Arteta’s side.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com