Arsenal fans beg ‘come on Arteta, make this happen’ as it emerges £102m striker is ‘waiting for Gunners transfer offer’
VICTOR OSIMHEN is waiting for an Arsenal offer amid claims Napoli are keen to cash in on the £102million-rated striker.
Premier League interest in the Nigerian has revved up as ex-Chelsea chief Antonio Conte prepares to take charge of the Italian club.
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But Napoli want the whole, nine-figure release clause for their 25-year-old star man.
And Chelsea are understood to have baulked at such a huge sum.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, that leaves just the Gunners, Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester United pondering a bid.
It’s understood Osimhen would love to play for a Prem club in London.
He could be on his way out as incoming Napoli chief Conte is tipped to target a more physical type of frontman.
Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku, 31, might yet be Conte’s choice, following loans in Serie A with his old club Inter Milan and Roma.
But it’s claimed a part-exchange deal with the Blues involving the Belgian and Osimhen is currently off the table.
That means Gunners’ chief Mikel Arteta must decide if he should launch a bid approaching the record £105m fee he paid for Declan Rice last summer.
Mikel Arteta's striker shopping list
By Jordan Davies
ARSENAL are stepping up plans to sign a world-class striker in the summer after their Champions League heartbreak.
Mikel Arteta splashed out £204.5m last summer on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber.
But the Spanish manager accepts he needs a proven goalscorer to take the club to the next level.
And here are the players he is looking at to get the Gunners firing:
BENJAMIN SESKO (RB Leipzig, value £40m-£45m)
One for the future at 20 years old. Scored 16 goals for RB Salzburg in the Austrian Bundesliga last season and the Slovenian has carried on that good form in Germany with Leipzig this campaign.
VIKTOR GYOKERES (Sporting Lisbon, value £60m-£80m)
Been scouted several times this season. The Swedish striker, 25, is more of a traditional No 9 so may not suit Arsenal’s demand for flexibility but would bring a physicality that boss Mikel Arteta craves.
ALEXANDER ISAK (Newcastle, value £75m-£85m)
Impressed in his first two seasons in English football. The Swede, 24, has the pace and finesse to match his finishing ability, and Eddie Howe’s Toon may need to sell to balance the books this summer.
JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (Bologna, value £45m-£50m)
Dutch wonder is attracting the attentions of clubs across Europe. At 6ft 4in the 22-year-old forward would have no trouble adapting to the Premier League and already has an eye for goal.
XAVI SIMONS (RB Leipzig, value £70m-£80m)
An incredible talent in the Bukayo Saka mould, currently on loan from Paris Saint-Germain. The future of the Dutch attacker, 20, depends on how much money his parent club want to make from him.
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Arteta is keen to land a world-class finisher – as well as a long-term partner in midfield for Rice – to help Arsenal finally dethrone Prem kings Manchester City.
And for their part Napoli are braced to lose Osimhen after four brilliant years in Serie A.
However, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is regarded as Arteta’s preferred option up front for now, not least because the Slovenian would be far cheaper.
The Gunners would hope to tie up any deal for the 21-year-old before the Euro 2024 start date of June 14.
Assuming he stays fit, Sesko is sure to take on England in their final group game 11 days later.
But Arsenal fans on social media appear more excited by the talk of recruiting Osimhen.
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Chelsea have been given permission from Leicester to speak to Enzo Maresca.
Liverpool and Chelsea are eyeing a summer move for Crysencio Summerville.
Premier League clubs are targeting Tosin Adarabioyo, who will be a free agent when his Fulham contract expires next month.
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One pleaded: “Arteta, make this happen.”
Another posted: “To be honest I would prefer Osimhen to Sesko.”
Some supporters, though, flinched at splashing out beyond £100m on one player.
“Naaaaahhh!!! Not at that price, man,” said one.
