Newcastle join Chelsea and Arsenal in the race to sign Osimhen during the January transfer window

SEVERAL English Premier League clubs have stepped up their interest in Victor Osimhen as the January transfer window looms in the hope of signing him from Italian giants Napoli by the end of the year.

Osimhen, 25, was the subject of a bitter transfer dispute during the last summer transfer window with Napoli and Chelsea unable to agree a deal. This led to him joining Galatasaray on loan and since going to Turkey, Osimhen has been on fire, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in nine appearances thus far for Galatasaray.

As a result, Newcastle United have reportedly contacted Napoli to enquire about his availability, with Arsenal and Chelsea also interested in the striker. Napoli are demanding €75m for Osimhen's services, which the English clubs will have to find if they want him, with Galatasaray also looking to seal a permanent move.

In addition, Turkish giants Fenerbahce want to sign him but apparently, Arsenal will not cough up €75m to sign Osimhen. With Gabriel Jesus struggling to make his mark in the final third and Mikel Arteta using Kai Havertz in multiple roles, Arsenal can do with a prolific striker but the north London side is struggling to find that kind of cash.

Meanwhile, Chelsea’s interest in Osimhen is understandable as the west London club signed only one striker in the summer transfer window but Marc Guiu is not ready to be the first-choice centre-forward. While Nicolas Jackson has made his mark this season, Chelsea can do with a top-notch alternative to the Senegalese international.

As for Newcastle United, the Magpies are sweating over the long-term future of Alexander Isak, as the Swedish international is a target for Arsenal and Chelsea. So, Newcastle must scour the market for a striker, with Osimhen emerging as a target and they should have the funds to afford a deal worth €75m if they sell Isak.