As per journalist Fabrizio Romano, Napoli director Giovanni Manna has revealed that Arsenal target Victor Osimhen has handed a transfer request as he wants to leave the Italian club this summer.
🚨🇳🇬 Napoli director Manna confirms: “Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club. He wants to go”.
“The situation is clear, there were already chances for his exit last summer… Victor wants to leave”.
“We will see in the next 20 days”. pic.twitter.com/qkBNsMt6Iw
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 10, 2024
The 25-year-old has been a known figure on several clubs’ wish-list and his latest move will keep his suitors on their toes. This is true for the Gunners as well, who are looking for a prolific goal-scoring striker ahead of the upcoming campaign.
Osimhen has scored 65 goals since moving to Napoli in 2020 and Arteta’s side need a striker who can produce similar numbers in the Premier League.
ARSENAL TARGET OSIMHEN GIVES TRANSFER ULTIMATUM TO NAPOLI
They have been given a huge lifeline in this deal since the Nigerian ace is ready to force a move away. However, the North London side has to compete with Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in this race.
Chelsea have already splashed £200 million and have just sealed Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers. They are strongly in this race if an opportunity comes up.
Similarly, PSG have the financial edge in this race but are hesitant to meet Napoli’s asking price for their prized asset. Arsenal value him at only £62m and hence, it looks like a difficult deal to make on paper.
MUST READ: Arsenal offered hope in their pursuit of Spanish midfielder after Liverpool snub
Napoli’s chairman and director have openly stated that the player has made up his mind on a move. The club left him out of the preseason games and he was not included in their latest Coppa Italia fixture against Modena.
Osimhen is a physically imposing striker whose lethal finishing might help the Gunners prosper upfront. Manager Jose Mourinho has likened the player to former Chelsea legend Didier Drogba.
MUST READ: Italian giants pondering on a move for Arsenal star after failing to land their prime target
ALL IS NOT WELL WITH THE ATTITUDE OF ARSENAL TARGET OSIMHEN
But with so many positives, there is another issue that Arsenal needs to be careful about. The African honcho’s attitude has held him back at key stages of his career.
He was involved in several altercations with his teammates during training seasons and also started a heated argument with former manager Luciano Spalletti when he was substituted in a league match last season.
His teammate and captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo even lashed out at the striker for showing an unacceptable attitude. As per the Athletic, he said:
“We manage certain episodes inside the locker room. These become more noticeable when things go wrong. In these moments you do not need such attitudes, you have to be united and focused on the goal.”
Although Arsenal might get a talented ace upfront, bringing in such a player will do more harm than good. Of course, there is nothing more problematic than disturbing the harmony in the dressing room.
Arteta is known to build a good rapport between him and his players. He won’t entertain such actions even if the player costs millions to the club.
MUST READ: Gabriel Martinelli confident over his battle with Leandro Trossard this season
The Gunners should look for other options in the market. They were interested in Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak but were priced away from a move. In our opinion, they must look out for Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres.
The Swedish ace will cost them considerably less and has shown a lot of promise. He can improve more under Arteta and provide goals on a plate for years to come.
It remains to be seen who will get the chance to wear the Red shirt before the end of this thrilling transfer window.
