Victor Osimhen open to Arsenal switch as Arteta weighs late striker move
Victor Osimhen is increasingly receptive to the idea of joining Arsenal, with the Napoli forward understood to be ready to consider a transfer if the North London club turn their long-standing admiration into a concrete bid. As the final weeks of the summer window approach, Mikel Arteta is actively evaluating centre-forward options to sharpen his attack, and Osimhen has emerged as one of the most realistic high-impact targets still on the market.
Arsenal’s recruitment focus for much of this window has been on the left flank, where the club explored deals for Morgan Rogers and Vinicius Junior. Neither pursuit has materialised into a signing, and that failure has forced a reassessment of priorities. With no new left winger secured, the question inside the club is shifting from “Who backs up Gabriel Martinelli?” to “Do we need a new first-choice striker instead?”
Martinelli himself has been at the centre of speculation. The Brazilian attracted interest from Galatasaray, but he has made it clear he is not interested in a move to Turkey at this stage of his career. Arsenal are not actively pushing him out, yet there is an acceptance that a sale could have been considered if an elite-level replacement for the attack was already lined up. With the winger staying put and no swap or part-exchange option on the table, the idea of cashing in on him to fund a forward is effectively off for now.
That change in circumstances has pushed the striker conversation to the forefront. Arsenal have looked at several profiles who could operate as a focal point, link play, and provide a ruthless edge in the penalty area. Julian Alvarez has repeatedly been flagged as a dream addition, but any move for the Argentina international would be immensely complicated. His current club are under no pressure to sell, and there is rival interest from abroad, making a deal both financially and logistically challenging.
Osimhen has therefore grown in prominence as a more attainable, yet still top-tier, option. The 27-year-old Nigerian is valued in the region of £60 million, a fee substantial enough to require internal debate but not so extreme as to rule Arsenal out immediately. At that price point, club decision-makers must weigh whether Osimhen represents a clear upgrade on their existing striker options and whether his signing would materially alter their ceiling in the title race and in Europe this season.
From the player’s perspective, the timing is favourable. Osimhen has reached a stage of his career where a move to the Premier League – and particularly to a club competing at the top end of the table – holds strong appeal. Reports indicate he is not pushing for a move at any cost, but he is described as “open” and “ready to explore” an Arsenal switch if a formal proposal arrives. That stance is crucial: it suggests Arsenal would not be entering a hostile or uncertain negotiation with the player’s camp, reducing one layer of transfer risk.
As it stands, there are no indications of advanced negotiations. Arsenal have not launched a formal bid, nor have talks reached the stage of fee structures and add-ons. However, the club are known for moving swiftly once they are convinced a target fits both sporting and financial criteria. If Arteta and the recruitment team conclude that Osimhen is the missing piece in their front line, a late-window move cannot be ruled out. The dynamic nature of the market means that Arsenal’s final weeks could pivot quickly from exploratory scouting to active pursuit.
Bradley Barcola also remains under consideration as part of Arsenal’s wider attacking shortlist. The French winger is on the radar of another Premier League giant, yet no agreement is in place there either, leaving Arsenal with an opportunity if they decide to re-prioritise a wide forward. Barcola offers a different profile to Osimhen: more of a touchline winger who can stretch the pitch, rather than a penalty-box striker. The choice between investing heavily in a winger like Barcola or a striker like Osimhen will ultimately shape the tactical evolution of Arteta’s side this season.
From a tactical standpoint, Osimhen appears particularly well-suited to what Arsenal lack. Arteta’s current forwards – mobile, technically gifted, and fluid in interchanging positions – sometimes struggle to consistently attack crosses and dominate aerially in crowded penalty areas. Osimhen, by contrast, thrives on aggressive runs in behind, physical duels with centre-backs, and quick finishes from cut-backs and low crosses. His presence would allow Arsenal to vary their attacking patterns, giving them a more direct option when opponents sit deep or when they need to chase a game late on.
Financially, a move for Osimhen would require careful balancing. Spending around £60 million on a central striker would likely mean shelving any big-money deal for a left winger until at least the next window. Arsenal would have to decide whether a single, marquee reinforcement in the number nine position offers more value than spreading the budget across multiple positions. The club’s recent transfer strategy has focused on signing players in their mid-20s who can contribute immediately while still retaining resale value – a category Osimhen fits neatly.
There is also the question of squad hierarchy and competition for places. Signing Osimhen would inevitably reshape the roles of current forwards. Players capable of operating both centrally and wide would need to adapt, potentially seeing more time in supporting roles or in rotational line-ups. While that might unsettle some individuals, it could also raise collective standards. Arteta has consistently stressed the need for “two high-level players in every position” to sustain a title challenge across all competitions. Osimhen’s arrival would be a bold embodiment of that philosophy.
Timing remains critical. With the transfer deadline looming, every decision carries a greater sense of finality. Arsenal must judge not only whether Osimhen is the right player, but whether they can negotiate favourable terms within the shrinking window of opportunity. If they delay too long, they risk being priced out, gazumped by another club, or left with no time to pivot to alternative targets. On the other hand, rushing into a big-money deal without full conviction could disrupt their long-term planning.
In the broader context of the Premier League, adding a striker of Osimhen’s calibre would send a powerful message to rivals. Arsenal have already built a side capable of challenging at the top; supplementing that core with a proven goalscorer in his prime would underline their intent to convert near-misses into trophies. For the player, a move to North London would offer the platform of regular Champions League football, a clear tactical role, and the chance to become the focal point of an ambitious project.
For now, everything hinges on whether Arsenal transform interest into action. Osimhen is ready to listen, the fee, while high, is within the realms of possibility, and the need for greater cutting edge in front of goal is clear. If Arteta and the club hierarchy decide that a true number nine is the final piece of their attacking puzzle, this could be one of the defining transfers of the window – and potentially of Arsenal’s next few seasons.