The latest report from British tabloid, Mirror, says that Arsenal have stopped trying to sign Victor Osimhen, a player from Nigeria, after a UK newspaper stated that Mikel Arteta made a list of four players he wants, and Osimhen is not on it.
Osimhen has been on Arsenal’s radar since last summer, with Arteta wanting to sign the Napoli player because of his impressive performance for the Italian team.
The Mirror suggested that the Gunners were ready to sell Gabriel Jesus this summer because the Brazilian has had a disappointing second season at the Emirates.
In his two seasons since joining from Manchester City, the 27-year-old has missed a total of 31 games and only scored eight goals in 33 appearances so far this season, which caused him to lose his position to new signing Kai Havertz.
As the season ends, Arteta is already planning for next season and has come up with four names for the striker position.
“Once expected to lead the Gunners’ attack for many years after his £45m transfer from Manchester City, Arsenal are now open to selling Jesus, according to the Athletic. If a good offer comes, Arsenal will consider it and try to invest in one of Arteta’s four main targets,” the website wrote.
According to the Mirror, the names given by Arteta to Arsenal’s management are Ivan Toney, Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokores.
Osimhen recently signed a new contract with Napoli at the beginning of the year, with his release clause set at around €130m, and Arsenal may be giving up on the chase for the Nigerian because of Napoli’s transfer fee.
Despite missing a large part of the 2023/24 season due to injuries and his participation with Nigeria at the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast, the striker still has 17-goal involvement (14 goals and three assists) in 22 appearances in the Italian topflight league.
