Here is a roundup of the top Arsenal news, gossip and transfer latest from icfootballnews featuring the likes of Ezri Konsa, Julian Alvarez and Victor Osimhen that you may have missed…
Ezri Konsa has made clear that winning will remain his driving force after completing his move from Aston Villa to Arsenal, describing his arrival at the Premier League champions as a “privilege” and insisting he is hungry for further success.
The 28-year-old England international signed a four-year contract, with Arsenal holding an option for a further 12 months, after the clubs agreed a deal worth £51 million initially and potentially £55 million with add-ons.
Konsa was presented at ARSENAL’s Sobha Realty Training Centre following the completion of his medical and said the opportunity represented a proud moment for both himself and his family
“I’m super excited. It’s a privilege to be here and can’t wait to get started,” he said in his first interview as a Gunner.
“I want to keep winning, I’m hungry to win and that’s what I’m here for. It’s a proud moment for me and my family to play for one of the best teams in the world.”
“I like to build up from the back and I like to have a lot of the ball. It’s Mikel’s style and from what I’ve seen from games, it’s the same way the defenders here play. So hopefully I can add a little bit more.
“It’s good being versatile. I can do both jobs, right-back and centre-back, but for me ultimately, wherever the manager wants to put me is, I’ll always do a job and do my best.
“I’m very proud [of my time at Aston Villa]. Very grateful for what they did for me in my career, joining them as a boy and left as a man. I’m excited to get going at Arsenal and can’t wait to get started.”
At ARSENAL, he is expected to provide valuable defensive depth and tactical flexibility. Comfortable at centre-back and right-back, Konsa fits the profile of a defender capable of adapting to Mikel Arteta’s demands. His arrival also comes at a crucial time, with William Saliba facing an extended absence and Jurrien Timber also dealing with injury problems.
ARSENAL PUSHING OSIMHEN
Arsenal remain hopeful of signing Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray before the transfer window closes, but the Nigeria international has reportedly been told he must lower his salary expectations if a move to north London is to materialise.
The Gunners have identified Osimhen as a potential addition to Mikel Arteta’s attacking options after encountering difficulties in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez. Reports from France indicate Arsenal have held discussions over the 27-year-old, but his current financial package is proving a significant obstacle.
Osimhen is understood to earn around £17.1 million a year net at Galatasaray, a figure Arsenal are reportedly unwilling to match. That equates to approximately £329,000 a week after tax, while his overall package is understood to include additional payments linked to loyalty and image rights.
ARSENAL are therefore believed to have made their position clear: Osimhen would need to accept a substantial reduction in his current earnings before the club would consider progressing with a formal offer.
The salary issue could prove decisive as Arsenal weigh whether to make a major investment in another centre-forward. The Premier League champions already have Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz among their attacking options, but Arteta is reportedly keen to add further competition and firepower.
Osimhen has continued to demonstrate his goalscoring credentials since making his move to Galatasaray permanent. The striker scored both of his side’s goals in their opening league fixture this season, rescuing a 2-2 draw against Corum FK and further underlining his importance to the Turkish champions.
Galatasaray are also reluctant to part with their leading forward only a year after completing his permanent signing from Napoli for €75 million. The Turkish club’s official agreement with Osimhen runs for four years and includes a reported net guaranteed salary of €15 million per season, alongside other payments.
However, reports suggest ARSENAL’s interest remains active, particularly with Alvarez’s situation becoming increasingly complicated. Atletico have maintained a firm stance over their Argentine forward, while Arsenal have continued to explore alternatives in their search for another elite attacking option.
Osimhen has also refused to completely rule out leaving Galatasaray this summer, adding further intrigue to the situation.
ALVAREZ COULD LIGHT UP ARSENAL
Gary Neville has urged Arsenal to make a late move for Julian Alvarez, claiming the Atletico Madrid forward could provide the attacking spark required to take Mikel Arteta’s side to another level.
Alvarez has been at the centre of transfer speculation throughout the summer, with Arsenal among the clubs monitoring the Argentina international. The 26-year-old’s future at Atletico remains uncertain, although the Spanish club have repeatedly maintained that they do not want to sell their prized forward.
Speaking after ARSENAL opened their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 victory over Coventry City, Neville said the addition of Alvarez would “light this place up” and could transform the Gunners into serious Champions League contenders
“What a squad he has built. If he puts another forward into that. If they could get Julian Alvarez somehow, that would light this place up as you’d have a world-class striker to go with all the world-class defenders and midfielders.
“They wouldn’t just become Premier League title winners they’d go the next step and win a Champions League. It’s a massive 10 days. He needs a bit of magic up front – someone that can win a game for you when you don’t play well.”
Alvarez’s situation remains complicated, however. Atletico have been firm in their public stance that they do not intend to sell the striker, while reports indicate the player has expressed a preference for Barcelona. Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin recently reiterated that the club considers Alvarez central to its plans.
ARSENAL remain interested, but manager Arteta has played down suggestions that his squad is incomplete following the opening-day win.
With the transfer window entering its final stages, Neville’s endorsement has nevertheless added further intrigue to a potential move that, if completed, could significantly strengthen Arsenal’s pursuit of major honours
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