Napoli are reportedly interested in two Arsenal stars, which could pave the way for Gunners sporting director Edu to reduce the £110million price tag slapped on their transfer target Victor Osimhen. Mikel Arteta’s outfit are keen to bolster their frontline and the Nigerian would be at the forefront of their shortlist, but a potential transfer fee well over nine figures could prove prohibitive.
Osimhen is expected to leave Napoli this summer after the defending Serie A champions could only muster a 10th-placed finish, with ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss Antonio Conte set to take over for next season.
However, he is unlikely to be able to call upon Osimhen who is attracting interest from the Premier League in addition to Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Arabian clubs. But Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport claim that while Napoli are keen on receiving his full £110m release clause in full, no offer has been made close to that figure.
Osimhen’s preference is to head to England and Arsenal are said to have ‘recently resurfaced’ despite links to RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko, though the Gunners do have a chance at lowering the high cost of the 25-year-old Napoli star.
Conte’s outfit are interested in Emile Smith Rowe and Takehiro Tomiasyu this summer as his new team look to return to Serie A contenders. It may be in Arsenal’s best interest to part ways with one or both of Smith Rowe and Tomiyasu if it allows Osimhen to arrive in the opposite direction.
Versatile defender Tomiyasu penned a new contract at the Emirates in March, but with Jurrien Timber returning to fitness and Ben White, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Jakub Kiwior all options at full-back, an exit for the Japanese star may come as less of a blow than it would have a few months ago.
Arsenal are willing to listen to offers for Smith Rowe, however, after Fulham reportedly made him a priority signing this summer. The 23-year-old made just three league starts last year and could make the short trip to Craven Cottage if the Gunners’ valuation is met, thought to be in the region of £25m.
Arteta would likely be reluctant to part ways with either Smith Rowe or Tomiyasu, but getting Osimhen through the door as one of Europe’s most prolific strikers at a reduced price is not something a club can turn their nose up at, with Napoli resigned to the Nigerian’s exit.
“We knew (Osimhen would leave Napoli this summer) that since last summer,” club owner Aurelio de Laurentiis said in January. “That’s why the contract negotiations were so drawn out and amicable… but we knew perfectly well that he would go Real Madrid, to PSG or to a English team.”
Olaitan Ibrahim