A transfer for Victor Osimhen was raised between Arsenal and Galatasaray during talks over the Turkish club’s interest in Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri, the Telegraph reports.
Galatasaray have tabled a £38.4 million offer for Martinelli and shown interest in Nwaneri, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille, in wide-ranging discussions with Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta.
It remains unclear whether Berta raised the possibility of Osimhen moving the other way, or whether the striker was effectively offered to Arsenal by Galatasaray.
Arsenal have held a long-standing interest in Osimhen, though the Nigeria international has sat behind Julián Álvarez on their list of striker targets. Atlético Madrid’s valuation of Álvarez, in excess of £100 million, has proven difficult for Arsenal to meet, and there is understood to be some consideration of switching targets as a result.
A year older than Álvarez, Osimhen has established himself as one of Europe’s most prolific forwards during spells at Napoli and Galatasaray. Whether Arsenal ultimately pursue a deal for the 27-year-old, or whether his situation is tied to Martinelli’s or Nwaneri’s futures, remains to be seen.
He has also been linked with a move to north London rivals Tottenham, who are also searching for attacking reinforcements.
Arsenal are preparing for a busy finish to the transfer window, with business expected on both the incoming and outgoing sides of the ledger. They remain interested in Aston Villa centre-back Ezri Konsa, though a move depends on closing the gap to Villa’s £60 million valuation, which the Midlands club have so far refused to negotiate down.
Konsa, who featured regularly for England at the World Cup, is expected back in training soon and is thought to be open to a move to the Emirates, though unlikely to push for one himself.
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