A striker swap involving Nigerian international Victor Osimhen has emerged from Arsenal’s discussions with Galatasaray over the future of Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri.
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Premier League champions Arsenal have reportedly held talks with Galatasaray over a possible move for Nigeria international Victor Osimhen, Complete Sports reports, citing the Mirror.
The discussions originally centred on Galatasaray’s interest in signing Arsenal duo Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri, but Osimhen’s name has since been raised as part of the conversation, with a swap deal now understood to be under consideration.
Arsenal’s Search For A Frontline Striker
Arsenal have been hunting for a top-level forward this summer after missing out on Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior, who signed a new contract in Spain, and finding a move for Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez difficult to advance given his valuation of over £100 million and interest from Barcelona. Those setbacks appear to have opened the door to alternative targets, with sporting director Andrea Berta’s talks with Galatasaray over Martinelli and Nwaneri now extending to Osimhen.
According to the Telegraph, Galatasaray have offered £38.4 million for Martinelli, who is entering the final year of his Arsenal contract, and are also exploring a deal for Nwaneri, who spent last season on loan at Marseille. Martinelli has scored 62 goals in 278 appearances across seven years at Arsenal.
Osimhen’s Standing At Galatasaray
Osimhen completed a permanent move to Galatasaray from Napoli last summer for a fee in the region of £64 million, following a prior loan spell in Istanbul, and has gone on to score 59 goals with 16 assists in 74 appearances for the Turkish club. He is under contract until June 2029 and has already won the Turkish Super Lig title twice with Galatasaray, finishing as the club’s top scorer last season. He has also been persistently linked with Premier League interest, including from Tottenham this summer, with a move to Arsenal now the latest twist in that ongoing transfer chatter.
📌 Did You Know?
- Osimhen’s move to Galatasaray from Napoli, completed for around £64 million, made him one of the most expensive transfers in Turkish football history.
- He has now won back to back Turkish Super Lig titles with Galatasaray, having first lifted the trophy while still on loan from Napoli.
- Osimhen’s Napoli career included helping the club win its first Serie A title in 33 years during the 2022/23 season.
- Gabriel Martinelli joined Arsenal from Ituano in Brazil in 2019 and has gone on to make 278 appearances for the club, scoring 62 goals.
- Ethan Nwaneri became Arsenal’s youngest-ever player when he debuted in the Premier League at 15 years and 181 days old in September 2022.
- Arsenal’s reported interest in Julian Alvarez comes as the Argentine has also drawn interest from Barcelona, with Atletico Madrid valuing him at over £100 million.
- Osimhen was named African Footballer of the Year in 2023, joining a list of Nigerian winners that includes Nwankwo Kanu and Jay-Jay Okocha.
