Arsenal Eye Victor Osimhen Amidst Striker Search

Arsenal have opened internal discussions over a move for Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, with Manchester United stepping away from the race due to cost, according to fresh reports.

The London club are scouring the market for another centre-forward despite last summer’s £64million outlay on Viktor Gyokeres. Their ideal signing is clear: Julian Alvarez. The Argentine has informed Atletico Madrid he wants out in order to chase the game’s biggest prizes, from the Champions League to the Ballon d’Or.

There is a problem. Alvarez has his heart set on Barcelona. On top of that, Atletico are said to be holding out for upwards of €200m (£171m). That combination has forced Arsenal to widen their search.

Osimhen is one of the names now firmly on the table. The Nigerian has long dreamed of playing in the Premier League, and TEAMtalk report that both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have been holding internal talks about a potential move.

United, who have tracked Osimhen for years, have cooled their interest because of the sheer scale of the financial package required. Their retreat has blown the race wide open for the two north London rivals, who could now go head-to-head for one of Europe’s most feared No 9s.

For now, it is only at the discussion stage. No negotiations are described as advanced, and there is plenty of work ahead before Osimhen is seriously close to either the Emirates or the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

The numbers involved will be hefty. Some recent claims have suggested the 27-year-old might be prised away for as little as €65m (£55.5m), but Galatasaray are expected to push for a fee closer to £100m. With three years left on his contract, the Turkish champions hold a strong hand at the bargaining table.

Then come the wages. Osimhen is believed to be seeking around £400,000 per week to make the leap to England. Those demands played a major role in scuppering his proposed switch to Chelsea in 2024, and they could again prove a major stumbling block for both Arsenal and Spurs.

There is also the question of priorities in north London. Arsenal already have Gyokeres leading the line, and the report suggests sporting director Andrea Berta may be better served channelling resources into a new left winger for Mikel Arteta instead of another marquee striker.

That need is growing. Arsenal have already missed out on Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior this summer. They like Bradley Barcola, but Liverpool are currently in the strongest position to land the Frenchman.

If that chase also breaks down, Arsenal will have to turn the dial up on alternative wide targets such as Nico Williams, Kenan Yildiz or Iliman Ndiaye.

So the dilemma is clear: double down on firepower by testing Galatasaray’s resolve for Osimhen, or pivot hard to the flanks and leave the Nigerian to their fiercest local rivals.