Osimhen to Arsenal: 3 things that must happen before transfer can be completed

Victor Osimhen’s possible move from Galatasaray to Arsenal has entered a stage where interest alone will not be enough, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Super Eagles striker has a long-term contract in Istanbul, a salary package worth millions of euros each season and a club that has shown little desire to lose one of its most important players. Arsenal, meanwhile, have to decide if signing Osimhen is worth the huge financial commitment involved.

The latest discussion around the transfer, including the report shared by FootMercato’s Seb Nonda, points to three key areas that must be solved before a deal can be completed. The details are also important because Osimhen is not a player Arsenal can sign with a normal transfer offer.

He joined Galatasaray permanently from Napoli in July 2025 for €75m. The deal was a Turkish transfer record and included a 10% share of any profit Napoli make from his future sale. He signed a four-year contract.

Here are the three things that must happen.

Arsenal must agree a salary package with Osimhen

Money will be one of the first major issues. Galatasaray’s official announcement confirmed that Osimhen earns a net guaranteed salary of €15m per season. He also receives a €1m loyalty bonus and €5m per season for image rights. That gives him a potential annual package of €21m before other bonuses.

That contract runs until June 2029. Arsenal would therefore have to decide how much they are prepared to spend on wages for a striker who would arrive as one of the most expensive players in the Premier League. A move to London would also bring a different tax system and a major change in his financial arrangements.

Osimhen has already shown that his salary is not a small part of any transfer discussion. In August, reports said he was willing to take a pay cut to join Atletico Madrid, although that proposed move was rejected.

If Arsenal cannot build a salary package that Osimhen accepts, negotiations with Galatasaray will not matter.

Arsenal must meet Galatasaray’s price and convince the Turkish club to sell

This is the hardest part of the deal. Galatasaray paid Napoli €75m for Osimhen only last year. The Istanbul club also completed the full payment of that fee in 2026, clearing its financial obligation to Napoli.

Galatasaray therefore have no obvious financial reason to sell quickly. Reports in recent months have put the club’s asking price as high as €150m. Spanish outlet AS reported in May that Galatasaray had set that figure as its price for Osimhen, with Arsenal among the clubs interested.

The club’s public position has also been strong. Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek was reported as saying Osimhen would not be sold this summer.

That means Arsenal cannot simply agree personal terms with the striker and expect the transfer to happen.

The Gunners need Galatasaray to accept a proposal that makes financial sense. A large cash offer could be required, while a player-plus-cash deal could also become part of negotiations. Arsenal have been linked with talks involving Gabriel Martinelli, with Galatasaray reported to have made an offer for the Brazilian winger.

Until Galatasaray change their position, Osimhen is still their player.

Arsenal must make the final decision to pay the price

The last step is Arsenal’s own decision. The club can be interested in Osimhen, speak to Galatasaray and discuss wages with his representatives. None of that guarantees a transfer.

Arsenal must decide if Osimhen is the striker they want badly enough to justify the total cost of the operation.

That cost could include a major transfer fee, Osimhen’s salary, bonuses, image-rights payments and the wider cost of reshaping the squad. Arsenal also have Viktor Gyökeres, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus as options in attack, so the club must decide whether Osimhen would provide enough extra quality to justify another huge investment.

There is also competition for Arsenal’s attention. Recent reports have linked the club with Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, while Arsenal have also been involved in wider discussions about their attacking options.

That makes the final decision critical. If Arsenal accept Galatasaray’s price, agree Osimhen’s personal terms and receive a clear green light from the Turkish champions, the transfer can move towards completion.

If any one of those three steps fails, Osimhen will stay in Istanbul.

For now, the Nigerian international has a contract with Galatasaray until 2029. Arsenal’s interest is clear, but a completed transfer requires agreement on the money, the player’s terms and, most importantly, Galatasaray’s willingness to let their star striker leave.