Who will regret not signing Osimhen? Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Barcelona & Spurs ranked

Victor Osimhen is no longer a realistic solution for the clubs that wanted him this summer, but the question is what his absence could mean over the next nine months, Afrik-Foot reports.

Five clubs were linked with the Nigeria striker at different points: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Barcelona and Tottenham.

Osimhen, with an interesting net worth, brings something that is difficult to replace. The Super Eagles forward is a proven goal scorer who can attack crosses, run behind defenders and turn half-chances into goals. His record at Galatasaray, including 5 goals and 3 assists in his first three appearances of the 2026-27 season, explains why clubs kept looking at him.

But signing Nigeria danger-man Osimhen was never simply about adding another striker. Each club has different targets and different attacking options. Some already have enough firepower. Others have built their season around forwards who still have questions to answer.

The key issue, therefore, is not which club wanted Osimhen most. It is which club has the most to lose after failing to add him. Looking at squad depth, scoring records, competition demands and each team’s targets, the order becomes clearer.

Here is the ranking, from the club that should miss Osimhen least to the one that could feel his absence most.

5. Arsenal: Enough firepower to survive

Arsenal have the strongest reason to feel comfortable. They are the reigning Premier League champions after ending a 22-year wait for the title in May, and their defence was a major reason for that success.

Their senior striker options are Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz. Gabriel Jesus has moved to Barcelona, but Arsenal still have Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke and Christos Tzolis around the attack.

Gyökeres gives Mikel Arteta a proper No.9 who can run behind defences, while Havertz offers a different style. Arsenal also added Bruno Guimarães to a midfield already containing Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard.

The Gunners’ primary target is to defend the Premier League title while competing in Europe. Arsenal may have preferred Osimhen, but failing to sign him should not wreck that plan.

4. Barcelona: Plenty of attacking talent

Barcelona’s decision not to land Osimhen looks less dangerous because Hansi Flick has several attacking weapons.

The club’s official 2026-27 squad numbers list Gabriel Jesus as the new No.9, with Karim Adeyemi, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Anthony Gordon also available in attack. Jesus arrived from Arsenal for about £8.6m on a three-year contract.

Barcelona’s target is clear. Flick has said the team wants a third consecutive La Liga title. They also have Champions League ambitions. Barcelona opened their league campaign with a 5-0 win at Elche, giving the attack an early boost.

Osimhen would have added more power and guaranteed goals, especially in difficult Champions League matches. Yet Yamal, Raphinha, Jesus and Adeyemi give Flick enough different ways to hurt opponents.

3. Chelsea: Goals are available, but Osimhen would have raised the ceiling

Chelsea are harder to judge. Their attack already produced 109 goals in all competitions last season, with João Pedro leading the team with 20. He scored 15 Premier League goals.

The problem is what happens if João Pedro carries too much of the scoring burden. Chelsea also have Cole Palmer, Emmanuel Emegha, Pedro Neto, Danny Welbeck and Estêvão. That leaves Chelsea with depth, but not the same proven goal threat Osimhen could have supplied.

With Xabi Alonso now in charge and no Champions League football on the schedule, Chelsea need their attack to deliver consistently. They can reach their targets without Osimhen, but his goals would have made the route easier.

2. Manchester United: Too much depends on Sesko

United may have the most obvious reason to regret missing Osimhen among the major clubs.

Benjamin Sesko is the main No.9 after scoring 12 goals in 32 appearances during his first United season. Joshua Zirkzee is another option, while Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Marcus Rashford can also play centrally.

The concern is simply that United need Sesko to become a much more productive striker. Their target is a deep run in the Champions League and a serious push towards the top of the Premier League after finishing third last season.

Osimhen would have removed some pressure from Sesko and given Michael Carrick a striker with a long record of scoring at the highest level.

If Sesko delivers, United may forget about Osimhen quickly. If he struggles, the decision not to add another proven goalscorer could become one of the defining issues of their season.

1. Tottenham: The clearest attacking need

Tottenham are the club most likely to feel Osimhen’s absence.

Dominic Solanke is their main centre-forward, while Omar Marmoush has arrived on loan from Manchester City. Richarlison, meanwhile, has been left out of Spurs’ Premier League squad as the club works on a possible exit.

That leaves Solanke carrying a huge amount of responsibility. Tottenham also have Mohammed Kudus, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Mathys Tel, Sávio, Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons, but several of those players are better suited to creating or attacking from wider areas.

Roberto De Zerbi has described Tottenham as a new project. His immediate priorities are to build the team’s “soul” and improve how they play with and without the ball. After last season’s problems, a return to European football is the realistic minimum expectation.

Osimhen could have changed the equation immediately. His pace and finishing would have given Spurs a focal point for De Zerbi’s attacking football.

Afrik-Foot verdict

Arsenal have enough. Barcelona have variety. Chelsea have goals but could use more. United have a huge bet on Sesko. Tottenham have the thinnest proven centre-forward group. That makes Spurs the club most likely to look back at Osimhen’s transfer and wonder what might have been.