Manchester United and Arsenal are allegedly in a fight to acquire Napoli striker Victor Osimhen during the summer transfer window. Arsenal have reportedly gone ahead of United in the hunt to sign Osimhen.
During the 2021-22 season, the Nigerian international has been in excellent form for his Italian side, scoring 17 goals and providing six assists in 29 games across all competitions.
Arsenal are anticipated to be in the market for a pair of new attackers this summer, after the departure of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January and the expiration of the contracts of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah, who will both be free agents next month.
Aside from the Blues, Manchester United are also interested in Osimhen, since the Red Devils will lose Edinson Cavani to a free transfer this summer, and the futures of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, and Cristiano Ronaldo are all up in the air.
According to a recent rumour, the Red Devils are the frontrunners in the hunt to sign the 23-year-old, who has more than three years remaining on his deal with the Naples.
In contrast, according to Gazzetta dello Sport, Arsenal has moved ahead of Manchester United to take the lead in the race to recruit the attacker during this summer’s transfer window.
According to the report, Arsenal have been watching Osimhen for’many months,’ and have now turned their focus to the Nigerian after losing out on a January move for Dusan Vlahovic, according to the source.
The attacker has reportedly been made aware of Arsenal’s interest, but Mikel Arteta’s side will almost certainly have to finish in the top four of the Premier League standings in order to have a chance of signing him.
Arsenal are now in fourth position in the Premier League standings, two points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, with four games remaining in the season. The North London rivals are battling for a place in the Champions League next season.
It is thought that Napoli are anxious to maintain hold of Osimhen, and that they are willing to accept bids in the area of £84 million for a player who joined the Italian giants from Lille in June of this year.
He has 27 goals and nine assists in 59 appearances for his Serie A team in all competitions, following up on his previous 18 goals and six assists in 38 games for Lille in the French league last season.
For Napoli this season, Osimhen has scored four goals and supplied one assist in five Europa League games, while in 24 Serie A appearances, he has scored 13 goals and contributed five assists.
Real Madrid have also been linked with a bid for the attacker, however the Spanish giants are said to be prioritising a move for Kylian Mbappe, who will be out of contract with Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the season.
Arsenal, who have won their last three matches against Chelsea, Manchester United, and West Ham United, will play against Leeds United, Tottenham, Newcastle United, and Everton in their final four Premier League games of the season, with a top-four finish in their sights. Arsenal have won their last three matches against Chelsea, Manchester United, and West Ham United.
