'Arsenal have not yet bought a centre-forward' - Transfer guru on the future of Chelsea target Osimhen

Speaking on the future of Victor Osimhen, Italian transfer market guru Luca Marchetti admitted that there's a risk Victor Osimhen could stay put at Napoli at the end of the transfer window despite speculation linking the striker with a transfer to the Premier League, with Chelsea and Arsenal both credited with an interest.

It has been suggested that Arsenal could make a late bid for Osimhen, given that Mikel Arteta has yet to sign a proven goalscorer in the summer transfer window.

Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez was heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium but the Argentina international has been sold to Atlético de Madrid.

Napoli and their new manager Antonio Conte have made it clear that they don't want Osimhen at the club next season and have already lined up a replacement, Romelu Lukaku.

The 2015 Fifa U17 World Cup winner has a release clause of  €130m and is on high wages which have proved a stumbling block to his departure from Napoli.

Despite reaching an agreement to sign Spanish-Nigerian striker Samu Omorodion, Chelsea remain interested in the Super Eagles striker and are finding a way to reach an agreement with the Parthenopeans.

The Premier League side want to dispose of Romelu Lukaku who is wanted by Napoli and are trying to use him to negotiate a deal with the Blues but have been unable to pull a deal off with the Serie A side.

PSG are the other club in negotiation for the lanky striker but are also unready to meet his valuation though they have a personal agreement with him.

Speaking on Radio Marte via Mondo Napoli, Marchetti explained the transfer situation of the one-time Serie A Best Young Player of the Year.

"I don't know where agent Roberto Calenda is, but he is certainly working at the moment to try to resolve this stalemate," Marchetti stated.

"The situation is not only difficult for Napoli, which sees its second market blocked, namely that of the alternatives to be delivered to Conte, but also for Osimhen himself, who has signed a renewal preparatory to a transfer that at the moment has not yet found a way to materialize.

"There are no negotiations more heated than others. Arsenal have not yet bought a centre-forward and do not have players with similar characteristics in attack, but we must first understand what idea of ​​attack coach Arteta wants.

"There is always the Arab track, to which Osimhen has never opened up. These are the solutions at the moment, and at the moment even if I have always been convinced of his sale, I would no longer bet my life on it".

Despite the uncertainty regarding his future, the 25-year-old is with the rest of the Napoli squad preparing for their first game of the new season, a Coppa Italia tie with Modena on Saturday.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com