Galatasaray ‘to keep’ Victor Osimhen as Arsenal rethink attacking plans | OneFootball

Arsenal’s push for a new centre forward has collided with a firm Galatasaray stance over Victor Osimhen.

After Julian Alvarez proved difficult to prise away, and with Atletico Madrid demanding 150 million pounds sterling to sanction his exit, the Gunners turned to the Nigerian. Galatasaray have told Arsenal he will not leave before the summer window shuts, and 343 Digital reports president Dursun Ozbek has told confidants he will not approve any deal that harms the club, adding he will not sell Osimhen.

Ozbek has already rebuffed a 130 million euros offer from Al-Hilal. Osimhen cost 75 million euros from Napoli and has scored 59 in 74, firing back-to-back league titles. Sozcu reports that Arsenal and Mikel Arteta remain determined to land him, viewing him as a simpler option than Alvarez.

"Rumours are always around during transfer periods. I will focus on my work, and after that we will see what happens," Osimhen said after Galatasaray's opening league match.

Arsenal’s interest follows a shaky season for Swedish striker Viktor Gyokeres, signed for 64 million pounds sterling last summer.

Former Nigeria midfielder John Obi Mikel has urged his compatriot to join a Champions League club, tipping Arsenal. Galatasaray, meanwhile, recently failed to persuade Gabriel Martinelli, the Gunners' longest-serving player, to move to the Turkish league.

Source: Goal.com

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”