Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly outlined the criteria for his next club as rumours of a summer move to the Premier League continue to circulate. That’s according to the Mirror, via football365, who claim the player’s representatives have been permitted by Napoli to send out feelers to Premier League clubs.
Arsenal are one of the teams linked with a move for the Nigerian international as Edu looks to strengthen Mikel Arteta’s forward line. As previously reported, the Gunners will target two centre-forwards this summer. Whilst it’s understood that Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus and Roma’s Tammy Abraham are on the club’s radar, reports have suggested that Osimhen is another potential option.
Nevertheless, the Gunners and Edu have now been told by transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio that the club will have to pay at least €100million (£83.7million) in order to secure his signature.
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Speaking to wettfreunde, Di Marzio said: “I don’t think he will be sold for €80 million because he was bought for €70 million. So, I think that (Aurelio) De Laurentiis is very smart to buy and very difficult when he has to sell the players. I don’t think he will let Osimhen go for less than €100 million – minimum. So, it depends on which club in Premier League will have all this money to spend in the market only for one player.”
The Italian journalist later said that the Gunners need a player like Osimhen at the Emirates next season as they look to continue building under Arteta, but they’re likely to face competition from Ligue 1 giants, PSG.
“Surely, Arsenal needs a player like him because he has incredible attitude and he would be perfect for Arsenal, Manchester United or even PSG,” he added. “PSG, if they have to sign another striker after Mbappe will go to Real Madrid and after Icardi will probably be sold. Osimhen, will be perfect for Paris or for Arsenal but they have to know that the price is minimum €100 million.”
The Serie A season is nearing an end, with the two Milan clubs set to do battle in the final few games to see who ends up as champions. Napoli had the chance to win the coveted trophy, but their title challenge has waned, with some inconsistent performances in the latter stages.
Di Marzio later conceded that had Napoli won the Serie A, it would’ve been easier for Osimhen to secure a move. “If Napoli had won the Serie A, it could have been easier for him to go because De Laurentiis has the pressure of the people, of the fans, and in this moment they are in a difficult situation after the lost matches, and they have to qualify for the Champions League,” he added. “Osimhen is the best player Napoli has so it will not be easy for other clubs to get Osimhen in the summer.”
It’ll be interesting to see who Arsenal do bring in, but if they manage to finish in the top four, their job may be made that little bit easier.