Pundit Kevin Campbell believes Arsenal could be in the picture for the ‘groundbreaking’ signing of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen in 2024.
Arsenal may be able to snap up Napoli striker Victor Osimhen next summer or even in the January window.
That’s the verdict of pundit and former Arsenal striker Kevin Campbell, who has been speaking to Sky Sports today.
Arsenal’s strikers are under the microscope after a lack of killer instinct against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Eddie Nketiah and Gabriel Jesus are coming in for some criticism, with some believing that they don’t have the goalscoring ability that Arsenal need.
Victor Osimhen backed for Arsenal move
Brentford striker Ivan Toney is now being heavily linked with Arsenal ahead of the January transfer window.
The Bees will command a huge fee for Toney but another name could yet come into the mix – Napoli striker Victor Osimhen.
The Nigerian striker smashed 31 goals in all competitions last season as Napoli won the Serie A titlte.
Former Arsenal striker Campbell now feels that the time may be right for Arsenal to make a big splash on a new striker.
Campbell believes that a fee for Osimhen would be ‘groundbreaking’ but if Arsenal really want to go to the next level, it’s the kind of signing they need.
Campbell adds that, in his honest opinion, the chance to sign somebody like Toney or Osimhen may actually come in January rather than next summer.
“I think every team needs that – probably bar Manchester City and maybe Liverpool as Salah has been incredible,” said Campbell. “For me, I think Arsenal have done it a bit by committee, they shared the goals out last season; Martinelli double figures, Saka double figures, Jesus double figures, Odegaard double figures, I think they have done it by committee.”
“Seeing the way things are going, and especially with Champions League… I think, when you’ve got the Champions League going, you do need somebody there who can help, who can play tight and you can rely on them to put one away and the talk is going to stop with the Ivan Toneys of this world being linked with Arsenal, because Arsenal do miss that type of striker.”
“What Osimhen would cost will be groundbreaking but it’s just like anything isn’t it? If you want to be that side, and you want that style of player, you’ve got to pay the money. Obviously, with Champions League money coming in, Arsenal might be in with a shout for Osimhen next summer, but the opportunity, I’ll be honest with you, might be in January,” he added.
Osimhen in Napoli stand-off
Many top clubs around Europe will now have real hope of signing Osimhen in 2024.
The striker reacted angrily when substituted against Bologna over the weekend, having a rather public falling-out with boss Rudi Garcia.
Osimhen had apologised to the Napoli squad but the situation has taken a bizarre turn.
Napoli’s own TikTok account had posted videos poking fun at Osimhen, particularly after missing a penalty against Bologna.
The Guardian report that Osimhen could now take legal action against Napoli, believing that he is being publicly mocked by his own club.
The relationship between Osimhen and Napoli is strained right now and that could give Arsenal a chance to swoop in with a huge deal in 2024.
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