Arsenal have opened a dialogue with Galatasaray regarding Victor Osimhen, while the Turkish side pursues Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri, as reported by the Telegraph.
Galatasaray have tabled a bid worth £38.4 million for Martinelli and have also shown interest in Nwaneri, who finished last season on loan at Marseille. During a meeting between Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta and the Istanbul club, the name of Osimhen came up in conversation.
Arsenal and Galatasaray exchange views on Osimhen It is not yet clear if Arsenal brought up the Nigerian striker or if Galatasaray offered him as a bargaining chip. The Gunners have tracked Osimhen for a long time.
Still, Osimhen has trailed Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez in Arsenal’s striker shortlist. Alvarez remains the top pick, but Atletico’s asking price of over £100 million poses a major hurdle, and the player prefers a switch to Barcelona.
Given these complications around Alvarez, Arsenal are exploring other routes and have shifted their focus to Osimhen.
Osimhen emerges as a viable target for Arsenal
Osimhen has built a reputation as one of Europe’s top scorers through his time at Napoli and Galatasaray. In the latest campaign, he netted 22 goals and added eight assists to help Galatasaray secure the league trophy.
Before moving to Turkey, the Nigerian played a key role in Napoli claiming their first Serie A title in over three decades. His recent output has also surpassed Alvarez’s numbers, making a stronger case for Arsenal to view him as a serious option.
The forward is seen as a better match for the central striker role and excels in aerial duels. His physical style makes him a commanding presence in attack when he is in form.
Arsenal face competition from Galatasaray and Tottenham
Should Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta manage Osimhen’s aggressive playing style, the striker could give the team the focal point they need to defend their Premier League title.
A move to north London might also spark interest from Tottenham Hotspur, who have been monitoring Osimhen as they aim to bolster their frontline.
With both Arsenal and Tottenham circling and Galatasaray already engaged in talks with the Gunners, Osimhen’s next step could become one of the more compelling transfer stories of the window.