Despite Napoli reducing their asking price for the 25-year-old striker, Victor Osimhen of Nigeria, Arsenal has apparently decided to give up on their pursuit of the player.
The Nigerian international was once thought to be on the Gunners’ big-money radar, but they have now moved on to other options.
Victor Gyökeres of Sporting Lisbon is now preferred by the north London club, according to Corriere dello Sport via Football Italia.
Osimhen’s new deal, signed in December 2023, makes his wage too expensive but the Gunners consider the Gyokores’ potential wage packet more affordable and are focusing on a move for him.
They would still have to spend €100m on a transfer fee in order to secure Gyökeres’ services from his Portuguese club.
Premier League rivals Manchester United and Chelsea are also linked with Osimhen.
Meanwhile, other Italian reports also stated that Osimhen is expected to start pre-season with Napoli amid a dearth of offers for the striker.
Despite lowering the price tag to €100m from the initial €130m clause, Napoli have struggled to find a buyer willing to meet their asking price for Osimhen, with Arsenal the latest club to switch targets.
Osimhen, who dreams of playing in the Premier League, has attracted interests from Manchester United and Chelsea, but no official bids have been made.
Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is actively working on the sale, looking to cash in on Osimhen this summer despite his crucial role in their recent successes, including the Scudetto-winning 2022/23 campaign.
The Devils have been credited with a player-plus-cash offer for Osimhen a deal that would see Danish striker Rasmus Hojlund leave Old Trafford for Naples.
