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If Arsenal manage to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer then it would be ‘a real statement of intent’, according to transfer insider Dean Jones…
THE LOWDOWN: STRIKER PRIORITY
Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah who are both out of contract at the end of the season look set to leave the Gunners this summer, while Nicolas Pepe also faces an uncertain future at the club.
As a result, Mikel Arteta will be prioritising the signing of a striker this summer.
Osimhen has established himself as one of European football’s most promising young forwards in recent years, moving from Lille to Napoli for €81.3m (£69.5m) in July 2020.
According to Italian outlet La Repubblica (via Sport Witness), Manchester United ‘have already come forward’ with an offer of €100m (£84.4m) for Osimhen.
However, La Gazzetta dello Sport (via the Manchester Evening News), claim that the 6 foot 1 ace has chosen Arsenal over the Red Devils as he believes they will be able to offer him Champions League football.
And Jones has had his say on the promising striker.
THE LATEST: STATEMENT OF INTENT
Jones believes that Nigerian hitman would be “an unbelievable focal point” for Arsenal’s attack but isn’t convinced that he “wouldn’t consider” United’s offer.
He told GiveMeSport: “He’d be an unbelievable focal point for that team. He’s a brilliant goalscorer.
“I’m personally not convinced that he wouldn’t consider Manchester United, and he’s also very expensive; Napoli aren’t going to let this guy go for cheap.
“They paid a lot of money for him themselves, and he’s going to go for even more money than that. So, that’d be a real statement of intent for Arsenal.”
THE VERDICT: BREAK THE BANK
The potential coup of the Napoli star would represent what would be a star signing for Arteta’s side.
Since the former Lille man moved across to Italy, he’s recorded a sensational 27 goals and nine assists in 60 appearances for Luciano Spalletti’s side, so its easy to see why he is attracting admiring glances from the Premier League.
Having bagged 18 attacking returns in the form of 13 goals and five assists over 25 appearances in the Serie A this season, Osimhen presents an astute option up top for the Gunners.
Journalist Zach Lowy believes that the 23-year-old has “everything it takes” to become “one of the best strikers of his generation”, while Emmet Gates has billed the Nigerian’s potential as “frightening.”
Indeed, while the £54m-rated hitman has bagged 17 goals in 30 appearances this season, he’s also proven a stunning force when creating chances for his teammates. A trait Arteta will be looking for in his striker next season. He’s so far created three big chances for his teammates, whilst registering two assists in the Italian top flight.
He is an unselfish player, but can be ruthless in front of goal, it is why he is considered as one of Europe’s most deadliest strikers around right now.
So KSE breaking the bank for the 18-time Super Eagles international is a no-brainer.
AND in other news, Spanish club ‘open talks’ for Arsenal’s £27m-rated flop who was an expensive mistake – opinion
