Newcastle United transfer target Victor Osimhen is ‘more interested’ in joining Arsenal, according to journalist Freddie Paxton.
The lowdown
Napoli shelled out £67.5m to sign Osimhen from Lille in September 2020, penning a five-year, £112,000-per-week contract on his arrival at the Serie A club. He has bagged 16 goals in 28 appearances this season, and 26 strikes in 58 matches for the Azzurri overall (via Transfermarkt).
Eddie Howe seems eager to sign a striker this summer, with the likes of Darwin Nunez (Benfica) and Hugo Ekitike (Reims) also linked with a move to St James’ Park.
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The latest
Shortly after 9pm on Monday night, Paxton took to social media with an update on where things stands with the Napoli striker regarding a potential €100m (£84.2m) move to the Premier League.
He tweeted: “I’m told Arsenal have been in contact with the agent of Victor Osimhen. The feeling is that the interest is serious, but Napoli will expect €100m+ this summer. Player wants to play in England and has previously been contacted by Newcastle. He is more interested in Arsenal.”
The verdict
Osimhen would be some signing for Newcastle based on his record of a goal every 127 minutes this season.
Journalist Zach Lowy believes that the 23-year-old has ‘everything it takes’ to become ‘one of the best strikers of his generation’, while Emmet Gates has billed the Nigerian’s potential ‘frightening’.
However, this report illustrates the issues that Newcastle might face this summer. Arsenal are currently fourth in the table and could therefore be able to offer him Champions League football next term.
While Newcastle might have the means to afford him and the ambition to reach Europe’s premier club competition, targets might be too impatient to wait for that opportunity if someone else is able to offer it sooner.
In other news, Newcastle are also targeting this left-back