Arsenal have been linked with a move for Victor Osimhen throughout the summer, but the continued speculation around the Nigerian may pose some questions about Viktor Gyokeres
Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray looks on during the Turkish Super League 2026/27 match between Galatasaray SK and Corum FK at Rams Park Stadium on August 14, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey
Victor Osimhen has been heavily linked with Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Victor Osimhen would need to lower his wages if he were to move to Arsenal. The Nigerian has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium.
Reports from France have claimed Osimhen is being viewed as competition for Viktor Gyokeres, rather than a direct replacement for the Swede. Gyokeres, who arrived from Sporting last year for £55m last summer, has been linked with an exit from north London, and is on the bench for Arsenal's Premier League opener vs Coventry City.
Previous reports have claimed Barcelona are expected to bid for Gyokeres, but it's understood the ex-Coventry ace will be retained by Mikel Arteta's side, despite the links with Osimhen and Julian Alvarez. Arsenal have been pursuing moves for both attackers in recent weeks.
French outlet Foot Mercato has claimed Arsenal would need the ex-Napoli forward to take a pay-cut if they were to proceed with a move. He currently earns an eye-watering £17.1million per season with the Turkish giants.
This is equivalent to just over £360,577 per-week, which would make him, comfortably, the highest earning player at Arsenal. At present, Bukayo Saka is the north Londoners' highest earner with a weekly-salary of around £300,000 per-week.
*FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page*
If Osimhen was to be signed, he would be in direct competition with both Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, who has also been regularly used as a striker by Arteta. However, with the Gunners looking to be competitive in all four competitions, as they were last year, Arteta will want as much depth as possible.
Arsenal now possess one of the deepest squads in Europe and with the continuous links to Alvarez and Osimhen, their transfer activity is showing no signs of stopping. Arteta recently admitted he is hoping to have a strong squad of 22 outfield players with at least three goalkeepers.
Arsenal's Viktor Gyokeres runs for the ball during the FA Community Shield final soccer match between Arsenal and Manchester City in Cardiff, Wales, Sunday, Aug.16, 2026
Arsenal still want to keep Gyokeres(Image: AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
View 3 Images
Speaking in his most recent press-conference, Arteta said: "Well, it depends on the availability and the history of those players. I think there is a lot of factors that count. 22 players and three goalkeepers or four is enough, or maybe you need more.
"[You] need to understand what happened in the previous season, the injury record of those players, the versatility of certain players. I'm sure we'll land on the right number. A bit of both, a lot of competition, the right level of cooperation in the team, and everybody feeling important."
Mikel Arteta celebrates after the 2026 FA Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester City.
Arteta is still looking to add to his attack(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Arsenal's intention to add more fire-power this summer has been clear from the start. They have already missed out on signing Morgan Rogers - who opted to join Chelsea - while a high-profile quest to purchase Vinicius Junior ended with him signing a new deal at Real Madrid.
Christos Tzolis' arrival from Club Brugge is already exciting Arsenal supporters, after he contributed two assists in the 3-0 victory over Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Content Image
Content Image