Osimhen could solve Arsenal’s striker woes 8 years after snubbing Gunners

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen could help Arsenal address their goalscoring issues, eight years after he turned down a move to the Emirates Stadium.

The 26-year-old Napoli forward, currently on loan at Galatasaray, is one of Europe’s most sought-after strikers and will be looking for a new club once his season-long stint in Turkey ends this summer.

The Super Eagles star has been in prolific form, scoring 17 times in 22 appearances for Galatasaray, putting him on course to match his career-best tally of 31 goals from the 2022/23 season.

A host of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea—who failed in their bid to sign Osimhen last summer—Arsenal, and Newcastle, are reportedly monitoring his situation.

The Gunners, eager to bolster their attacking options amid Kai Havertz’s inconsistent form, previously attempted to sign Osimhen in 2016 but were unsuccessful. However, they may now look to rectify that missed opportunity with a renewed approach.

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Osimhen is reportedly available for £63 million, with Napoli willing to sell following their acquisition of Romelu Lukaku last summer.

The Nigerian striker previously rejected Arsenal in 2017, choosing Wolfsburg instead due to their strong focus on player development.

After an outstanding performance at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup—where he led Nigeria to victory and finished as the tournament’s top scorer—he attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Arsenal, but ultimately opted for the Bundesliga path.

“It’s true that a big team like Arsenal wanted me, and I feel honoured to be invited over,” Osimhen told the BBC in 2017. “But personally, I feel Wolfsburg is a ladder for me to reach my professional goals.

“Yes, Arsenal is a good team for young players, but Wolfsburg is the best club for me. This is the best place for me to learn and develop because my heart is here with Wolfsburg. The club’s plan for my career is very encouraging, and I believe with God on my side, I can grow to become one of the best players in the world.”

With Arsenal looking to reinforce their attack this summer, Osimhen could finally get his long-awaited move to North London—eight years after he first caught their attention.