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Arsenal to opt against Victor Osimhen pursuit?

Arsenal to opt against Victor Osimhen pursuit?
© Reuters
Arsenal are not looking to pursue a summer move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to a report.

Arsenal will not look to pursue a summer move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, according to a report.

The 24-year-old has unsurprisingly caught the attention of a number of top European clubs having excelled in front of goal for the Parthenopeans so far this season, netting 19 goals in 21 Serie A appearances.

Osimhen has been a standout performer for Luciano Spalletti's side, who currently sit 15 points clear at the top of the Serie A table and are on the cusp of winning their first Scudetto for 36 years.

A recent report claims that Arsenal have moved to the front of the queue in the race to sign Osimhen this summer ahead of the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain.

However, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Mikel Arteta's side are not expected to make a move for the Nigeria international as they have "different priorities" ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Napoli's Victor Osimhen applauds fans after the match on March 3, 2023© Reuters

Speaking to CaughtOffside, Romano said: "I don't have it confirmed, as of now. Arsenal have Gabriel Jesus, [Eddie] Nketiah, [Folarin] Balogun and also, Osimhen's price tag will be really huge.

"I think Arsenal have different priorities for this summer, including a new midfielder."

Jesus joined the Gunners last summer and contributed with five goals and seven assists in 20 games earlier this season before picking up a long-term knee injury during the World Cup.

Nketiah has since filled in as Arteta's central striker, finding the net nine times in 32 outings so far this season, while January addition Leandro Trossard has also be used as the focal point of Arsenal's attack in recent weeks.

Meanwhile, Balogun is enjoying an impressive loan spell with French outfit Reims this term, scoring 15 goals in 25 Ligue 1 appearances, and the 21-year-old will likely return to the Emirates Stadium ahead of next season.

Victor Osimhen in action for Napoli on September 7, 2022© Reuters

Osimhen, who is valued in excess of £100m by Napoli, is under contract with the Italian side until June 2025 and club president Aurelio de Laurentiis has insisted that the striker is "not for sale".

However, Napoli's No.9 has recently revealed that it is a "dream" to play in the Premier League at some stage of his career, telling reporters: "I think playing in one of the top five leagues in the world is an amazing feeling for me.

"A lot of people worldwide consider the Premier League as the best and the strongest league but now I'm in one of the best leagues in the world which is the Italian Serie A.

"I'm working so hard to make sure that I achieve my dream of playing in the Premier League someday but like I said, it's a process and I just want to keep on this momentum and continue to do well."

With Arsenal said to be exploring other targets this summer, the likes of Brighton & Hove Albion duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, West Ham United's Declan Rice and Real Madrid's Marco Asensio have all recently been linked with a potential move to the red side of North London.

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Written by
Oliver Thomas

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Napoli's Victor Osimhen celebrates scoring their third goal on October 16, 2022
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