Arsenal’s €90 million bid for Victor Osimhen has reportedly been rejected by Serie A giants Napoli, who want more for their star striker.
According to Italian journalist Marco Giordano, Arsenal have been pegged back in their attempt to sign Victor Osimhen after Napoli rejected a mammoth €90 million offer for the Nigerian hitman. The Serie A giants are seeking a higher asking price, which may be around €110 million, as the Gunners’ search for a new forward continues.
Arsenal have a complicated situation ahead of the summer, with Mikel Arteta’s search for a new leading striker taking a new turn. The Gunners are pursuing several high profile options, including Darwin Nunez, Gabriel Jesus, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Victor Osimhen, as the Arsenal manager seeks to replace Alexandre Lacazette and former captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Arteta is clear about the type of player he wants at the Emirates, and qualification for the UEFA Champions League might ensure smoother operations. However, Arsenal believe they still have the pull to bring in the best talents to strengthen their attacking options.
While they continue to chase Jesus, there has been a snag in the potential deal, as Arsenal are unwilling to pay Manchester City’s asking price. The uncertainty has allowed other clubs to sniff around the Brazilian forward, who remains keen on joining the Gunners.
+++ Il Napoli ha rifiutato una mega offerta dell'Arsenal per @victorosimhen9. No a 90 milioni dai Gunners +++
Tutti gli aggiornamenti su @calciomercatoit nel pezzo scritto con @CiroTroise pic.twitter.com/B7RN1LTtb7
— Marco Giordano (@MarcoGiordano6) May 21, 2022
The Gunners initially had contacted Osimhen’s camp to understand what it may take to sign the Nigerian striker. Napoli demanded over €100 million to put off suitors like Arsenal, who have now seen a mammoth bid getting rejected by the Serie A side.
Arsenal reportedly proposed €90 million for the striker, with Napoli knocking back the offer. But the Gunners could go back with an improved offer if the report of their first bid is accurate. If Arsenal are ready to spend €90 million, then one can think they can produce another €20 million to conclude the transfer.
However, the initial proposal was designed the test the waters, and now the north Londoners have an idea about the correct asking price. A few weeks ago, they had considered moving away from pursuing Osimhen and looking at financially alternative targets such as Richarlison. However, judging by their latest bid, they might be considering the Nigerian as their primary target.
Someone like Jesus is still primed to join Arsenal, although the Brazilian’s versatility gives Arteta more ideas for next season. Meanwhile, Osimhen is only known to play the role of a leading striker, and the coming days will let him make a firm decision on his next club.
