Arsenal have reportedly entered a battle with Newcastle United over Napoli’s Victor Osimhen as they continue their desperate search for a striker.
Newcastle United have been in the market enquiring about every possible player in a bid to build a super team to help them stay in the Premier League and compete for major honours next season. They have already signed Chris Wood from Burnley but are reportedly interested in Duvan Zapata of Atalanta and now, Osimhen of Napoli.
Arsenal are now reportedly ready to challenge the nouveau-riche club from Tyneside for the Nigerian striker’s signature as they continue their own desperate search to replace the ostracised Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
The Gunners were dealt a big blow as their main target for the role, Dusan Vlahovic chose instead to move to Juventus’ earlier in the week. They have since identified a few more attackers including former Chelsea man Diego Costa and Real Sociedad striker Alexander Isak, who is also reported to have turned down a move to the club in the middle of the season.
Arsenal are reportedly ready to match Newcastle United’s £60 million bid for Osimhen.
The Nigerian, who had to sit out his country’s run in the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cameroon due to a facial injury, moved to the Neapolitan club in 2020 for £66 million. The transfer is currently under scrutiny, as it has been claimed that there were some discrepancies with it.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who recently let club cult hero Lorenzo Insigne sign for Toronto FC in the MLS ahead of next season, is reportedly willing to listen to offers for the Nigerian, who is also becoming a fan favourite at the club.
Arsenal is reportedly ready to splash the same cash initially earmarked for Vlahovic on Osimhen, who is also currently regarded as one of the world’s best strikers. De Laurentiis will listen to offers as they come, according to reports.
Diego Costa makes decision on Arsenal move
Former Chelsea and Atlético de Madrid striker Diego Costa is now a free agent after spending one year in Brazil with Atlético Mineiro.
The former Spanish international scored five goals in 19 games for the Brazilian club, as they lifted their first league title in 59 years; their second ever title. He also played a key role in the club’s run to a cup triumph to earn Mineiro their first ever domestic double.
The 33-year-old, according to earlier reports, held talks with the Gunners in Brazil but had made no decision. However, it now appears that Costa will be disappointing Mikel Arteta as he has chosen elsewhere to continue his career.
Struggling Serie A club Salernitana are the leaders to seal Costa’s signature and reports claim that they are onfident of concluding a deal for the Spaniard this week.
Walter Sabatini told TuttoSalernitana.com: “Diego Costa is a matter still in movement, a miracle could happen, but so far it has not happened.”
Salernitana are currently last in the Italian Serie A with just 10 points from their opening 22 league games – eight points from safety.
Aubameyang excluded from training camp
Back at Arsenal, Aubameyang is still being subjected to humiliating treatment after being dropped from the club’s mid-season training camp in Dubai in favour of Jack Wilshere, who is not contracted to the club – or any club for that matter.
The former Gunners midfielder has been training at Arsenal’s facilities to stay match fit as he looks for a way back into professional football, more than a year after he became a free agent.
Arteta opted to take him along to the club’s training camp in Dubai in the place of Aubameyang, while remaining coy on if Aubameyang will ever regain his place in the squad.
