'He, like Toney, is a player they like' - Transfer guru Charles Watts claims Arsenal still have an interest in Osimhen

Transfer expert Charles Watts claims Arsenal still hold an interest in signing reigning CAF Men's Player of the Year Victor Osimhen.

It has been reported that the Gunners are ready to slug it out with Manchester United, Chelsea, and PSG for the services of the Napoli striker.

Despite being one of the most prolific sides in the Premier League, the North London club want to bolster their attack in the summer and it is no surprise that they are after Osimhen.

As revealed by Watts in his daily briefing for Caughtoffside, Arsenal are interested in the Super Eagles forward but could miss out on him due to the financial implication that will come with his signature.

"It's no great secret that Arsenal want to sign a striker this summer. When the window opens it will be the priority, along with a midfielder and potentially another wide attacker," Watts said.

"It will be interesting to see whether they move for Victor Osimhen. He, like Toney, is a player they like and I know that his representatives have visited Arsenal's training ground for talks with Edu.

"Those talks took place in the summer when Arsenal eventually signed Gabriel Jesus. Jesus was always the priority that year, but Osimhen was definitely a player they viewed as a serious alternative.

"That interest will remain, but the Nigerian could prove to be too costly an option in a summer given Arsenal want to spread their budget around as they look to take the squad to the next level."

Osimhen is said to have a release clause within €130m which undoubtedly will affect the budget of Mikel Arteta's side and other interested parties.

He will also demand a huge salary which means any club willing to sign him must be ready for the financial consequences amid the presence of the Financial Fair Play Rules.

This could profit PSG whose account would be boosted by the departure of Kylian Mbappé but Osimhen's purported preference for the Premier League might be their undoing.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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