Osimhen’s Juventus agreement casts fresh doubt on Arsenal’s earlier links, with attention now shifting toward Gyökeres as the club rethinks its attacking priorities.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - NOVEMBER 7: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring his team's second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Galatasaray A.S. and Tottenham Hotspur at Rams Park on November 7, 2024 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images
Victor Osimhen’s future remains unclear after reports from Nigeria and Italy claimed he has agreed personal terms with Juventus, just two months after it was suggested that Arsenal had struck a deal with Napoli for the striker.
According to Tuttosport journalist Raffaele Auriemma, there is already a “total agreement” between Osimhen and Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, the same executive who brought the Nigerian to Naples from Lille in 2020.
However, any move will still depend on Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis, who is expected to demand a fee far beyond the €75 million release clause for a domestic transfer, particularly to a rival club.
NAPLES, ITALY - MARCH 03: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli reacts during the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and SS Lazio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on March 03, 2023 in Naples, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images
The Juventus development casts fresh doubt over the credibility of a Weekend Trust report from March, which claimed Arsenal had agreed a £62 million fee with Napoli. That story never developed further, and Arsenal are now believed to be focused on Viktor Gyökeres, with negotiations reportedly under way for the Sporting striker.
Front page of the Mais Sport section from Correio da Manhã, dated Saturday 10 May 2025, featuring a photo of Viktor Gyökeres in a Sporting CP kit, celebrating with his fist clenched and mouth open in a shout. The headline in bold black and red text reads: "Arsenal table €75 million bid to sign Gyökeres", indicating Arsenal have made a €75 million bid to sign the striker. Smaller text above the headline notes that Chelsea are still in the race and Sporting expect more offers.
Front page of the Sport section from Correio da Manhã, dated Saturday 10 May 2025, headlined “Arsenal table €75 million bid to sign Gyökeres”
Osimhen, meanwhile, has spent the season on loan at Galatasaray, where he has delivered 33 goals and eight assists in 38 appearances. While Arsenal, Manchester United, and Chelsea have all been linked with the 26-year-old, his €12 million-per-season wage demands and Napoli’s asking price remain significant obstacles.
With Mikel Arteta expected to revamp his forward options this summer, and Juventus pressing ahead, it looks increasingly unlikely that Osimhen will be heading to the Emirates. Whether the March report of Arsenal’s agreement was ever more than nonsense now appears doubtful.
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