Napoli believe Victor Osimhen is now worth double what the Serie A side paid for the attacker as the club prepare to offer the ace a new contract. With Arsenal one of the sides previously keen on the forward.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport via GIFN, the Italian giants want to tie down the attacker to a new deal. With Napoli thinking Osimhen’s value has doubled since the striker joined the club last year.
As per the report, Napoli paid Lille a handsome €60m (£51m) for the African forward, with the club now valuing Osimhen at €120m (£102m). To put that into context, Arsenal paid more in 2018 for the signing of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as reported by BBC Sport.
As per Italian journalist Paolo Bargiggia via 1 Sport Radio, the Gunners were very close to signing Osimhen following his breakout season with Lille. However, Napoli beat Arsenal to the punch, and the 22-year-old is this season thriving in Italy.
The Lagos-born attacker already has nine goals and two assists in all competitions. With Napoli sitting top of the Serie A table without losing a single game so far. And Osimhen has been key to this form.
Indeed, with Napoli now working on signing the striker down to a new contract, Osimhen could become an unobtainable asset for many clubs around Europe. Including Arsenal, who will likely be in the market for a striker next summer.
Arsenal missed out on Osimhen as new contract looms
Arsenal missing out on a talent who goes on to flourish is hardly anything new. Yet the Gunners should be kicking themselves for allowing Osimhen to slip through their fingertips last summer.
With Aubameyang in his thirties and both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah leaving next summer, Osimhen could have been perfect to lead the Arsenal attack for years to come. However, the Napoli star now looks set to commit his future to the Italian giants.
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