Arsenal ready to make a move for Serie A goalscorer

NAPLES, ITALY: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli looks disappointed during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Bologna FC at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on May 11, 2024. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Italian journalist Ciro Venerato reports for RAI (via GIFN) that Arsenal are ready to make an offer to Napoli for Victor Osimhen.

According to claims, Chelsea have cooled their interest in the striker, leaving Arsenal in the lead. The Gunners are unwilling to meet Osimhen’s release clause, but would be willing to negotiate a lower fee.

As for Napoli, they would be open to negotiating so that Antonio Conte can use the funds to reinvest in strengthening their squad.

Victor Osimhen of Naples celebrates after scoring the team’s second goal during the UEFA Champions League Group C football match Napoli vs Sporting Braga at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples on December 12, 2023. (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Images)

This follows Gianluca Di Marzio’s report from earlier this month that only Arsenal are currently in the mix for Osimhen, although he stressed that even the Gunners were far from meeting the player’s release clause.

Arsenal had been heavily linked with a move for Osimhen earlier in the 2023/24 campaign, but the links had faded as Paris Saint-Germain eyed the striker to replace Kylian Mbappe.

David Ornstein had reported that Osimhen was high on PSG’s list of candidates to replace Mbappé, with the club having intensified various discussions in January to prepare for the player’s potential departure.

However, L’Equipe later reported that PSG’s interest in Osimhen had also disappeared, with no progress in the move to sign him.

Victor Osimhen of Naples celebrates after winning 2-0 the UEFA Champions League Group C soccer match Napoli vs Sporting Braga at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium in Naples on December 12, 2023. (Photo by ALBERTO PIZZOLI/AFP via Getty Pictures)

It’s worth noting that Italian media remain the only sources claiming that Arsenal are even in the running to sign Osimhen.

No reliable outlet in the English media has suggested a move is a possibility, so either the Gunners are hiding it well or the Italian media know something we don’t.

Osimhen has scored 17 goals and four assists in 32 games this season, amid some injury-related setbacks and his month-long run to the Africa Cup of Nations final.