By Daily Sports Nigeria on February 21, 2025

Arsenal have joined Premier League rivals and Paris Saint-Germain in the race to sign Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen, with the Gunners exploring a January move for the Galatasaray loanee, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to transfer expert Pete O’Rourke, Arsenal are exploring a move for the Nigeria international “as they look to bolster their attacking options before the close of the transfer window.”

The 26-year-old striker, who joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in September 2024 after proposed moves to Chelsea and Saudi Arabia collapsed, has been in scintillating form, scoring 14 goals and providing six assists in 18 appearances across all competitions this season.

RAI Sport reports that while Osimhen’s release clause drops to €75m next summer, any January move would cost around €90m, with Galatasaray entitled to a portion of the transfer fee.

However, the Turkish giants have repeatedly insisted that the striker will remain at the club until the end of the season, with their coach and directors maintaining this stance despite growing interest from Europe’s elite clubs.

The Nigerian recently rejected a chance to join Manchester United in a potential swap deal involving Marcus Rashford, prompting an angry response from Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis.

“Then let him stay where he is. Tell Galatasaray to take Osimhen,” De Laurentiis was quoted as saying by La Repubblica.

Osimhen’s current deal with Napoli runs until 2026, with a clause extending it to 2027 agreed before his loan move to Turkey. While his Napoli salary stands at €10m, Galatasaray pays just €6m for the current campaign.

His contributions have transformed Galatasaray into the only unbeaten team among Europe’s top eight leagues across domestic competitions and European tournaments, increasing interest from several clubs.

Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg revealed that Galatasaray were “100 per cent convinced” of retaining Osimhen’s services until the season ends, despite mounting pressure from potential suitors.

Former Galatasaray coach Hamza Hamzaoğlu recently suggested the Turkish club cannot afford a permanent deal for the Nigerian, potentially opening the door for a summer transfer.

“It is difficult for Galatasaray to buy Victor Osimhen. In fact, I can say that they cannot,” Hamzaoğlu told habersarikirmizi.com.

“I heard that there are suitors for Osimhen. Galatasaray can go up to a certain point in the figures, but after that, it may cause problems. Financial situations need to be considered.”

PSG have maintained their interest in the striker despite manager Luis Enrique’s previous reservations about signing a traditional number nine and could reunite the Nigerian with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia who just joined the Parisians this month.

Liverpool have also identified Osimhen as a potential replacement for Darwin Nunez, who is attracting interest from Saudi Arabia.

According to Anfield Watch, Liverpool’s incoming sporting directors Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards view the Nigerian as an ideal candidate to replace Nunez, having monitored his progress since his early European career in Belgium and France.

The Super Eagles striker has previously expressed his commitment to Galatasaray, telling reporters after scoring a brace against Tottenham in the Europa League, “I will not leave in January, I am at Galatasaray until the end of the season. I do not know what Galatasaray and Napoli are talking about afterwards, but if they come to me, we will talk.”

Nigerian broadcast journalist Buchi Laba, who is close to Osimhen’s entourage, confirmed on social media that the striker has rejected several January offers.

“To make this clear as ABC: Victor Osimhen rejected every offer in January 2025 to stay back at Galatasaray for the full season,” he wrote on X.

“Yes there’s legit concrete interest but the plan has always been to stay at Galatasaray for the full season and win trophies with the team.”

Source Punch Ng

Posted January 21, 2025

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