Premier League club Arsenal are reportedly planning to bid for Nigerian striker, Victor Osimhen in the summer of 2024 when his current contract with Napoli has just a season left to expire.
After shattering Arsenal’s previous transfer record and setting a new British record by signing Declan Rice from West Ham United this summer for a transfer fee worth £120 million, last season league title contenders are said to be drawing up a plan to buy Osimhen next summer.
Osimhen gained more popularity in the football market thanks to his outstanding performance in Napoli’s Scudetto-winning season last term, in which he scored an incredible 26 goals and provided five assists in 32 Serie A games.
According to reports from Gazzetta dello Sport, the gifted striker is willing to agree to a new four-year deal with Napoli that would include add-ons and a club-record salary of almost €7 million net per season.
However, the major sticking point in the contract negotiations lies in the release clause. Osimhen desires the release clause to be set at €120m, but De Laurentiis is adamant about not settling for anything less than €160m.
Due to the inconclusive contract extension talks, Paris Saint Germain and a host of other top European teams are still considering making a move for him.
Recently, a Saudi Pro League club made a bid worth over €130 million for the services of the 24-year-old Victor Osimhen but Napoli reportedly rejected the offer.
If Napoli fails to extend Osimhen’s contract this summer and the Nigeria international fail to accept the about £1 million per week offer from a Saudi Pro League club, Ah Hila, Arsenal are reportedly set to move in for the Nigeria international.
However, Arsenal might not want to spend over €150 million in signing Osimhen as they are not known to be heavy spenders in the transfer market until recently.
