Arsenal expected to launch a €100m bid for embattled Super Eagles striker Osimhen

ENGLISH Premier League giants Arsenal are planning to launch a €100m bid for embattled Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen who is currently facing the prospect of Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) disciplinary action that could see him suspended.

Osimhen, 25, is by far the hottest Nigerian property on the market at the moment after leading his Italian side Lazio to the league title during the 2022/23 season. A prolific striker who won the Serie A golden boot, Osimhen is a highly sought-after player but Napoli have warded off all suitors with a is €130 price tag.

However, Italian journalist Ciro Venerato, believes that Arsenal are ready to make a €100m million bid for the striker, which is €30m short of the release clause set by Napoli in his contract. Napoli’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, has made it clear that they will not entertain bids below his release clause, which would surpass Arsenal’s current transfer record of £105m paid for Declan Rice last summer.

Mr Venerato said: “Arsenal will now try with the Nigerian who dreams of the Premier League but not by paying the onerous amount of the clause but a lower sum. Napoli will have to evaluate the pros and cons.”

Arsenal’s initial target, RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, has committed his future to Leipzig for another year, pushing them to explore other options over the need to secure the necessary firepower to challenge Manchester City and end their two-decade wait for a Premier League title. Osimhen, who has openly expressed his desire for a new challenge, dreams of playing in the Premier League.

Of late, Osimhen has been in the news for the wrong reason after lashing out at former Super Eagles head coach Finidi George. Osimhen attacked the coach after a report appeared online in which the manager questioned the players' commitment to the Super Eagles but it later emerged that the report was a fabrication.

NFF officials are not happy with Osimhen's actions and it is believed that the federation is considering suspending him from the Super Eagles. One NFF source said that the striker will have to at least withdraw the statements and apologise for his outburst  if he is to be involved in the next set of matches.

Osimhen's impressive track record, including 26 league goals in the 2022/23 season that propelled Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990, makes him an enticing prospect for Arsenal. However, the Gunners are not alone, as Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have also shown an interest in the striker especially with PSG needing to replace Kylian Mbappe, who has just joined Real Madrid.