Victor Osimhen: Arsenal ready record bid for Galatasaray star

Premier League giants Arsenal have taken a significant step in their long-running interest in Nigerian forward Victor Osimhen, Afrik-Foot reports.

Reports from England and Spain suggest that senior club figures are now actively exploring what it would take to bring the Galatasaray striker to north London this summer.

The Gunners’ sporting director, Andrea Berta, was recently in Istanbul and attended the fierce Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe. During that visit, he is understood to have held talks with Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek as Arsenal quietly began to assess the possibility of a deal.

Interest in Osimhen is not new, but this move suggests Arsenal are now shifting from admiration to action. The club have been strong contenders both in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League this season, yet questions remain about their cutting edge in front of goal. Manager Mikel Arteta is believed to want a proven striker who can turn tight matches into wins.

Osimhen fits that profile. At 27, he is widely seen as one of the most complete forwards in world football; quick, powerful, strong in the air and clinical inside the box. His performance in Galatasaray’s 3-0 win over Fenerbahçe, where he scored just before half-time, only strengthened that reputation.

Scouts from several top European clubs were in attendance that night, but Arsenal’s presence stood out given their growing need for a reliable number nine.

The Super Eagles attacker has scored 13 goals and provided four assists in 20 league matches this season. Those numbers follow an even more impressive previous campaign, where he scored 37 goals in 41 matches across all competitions.

Osimhen: Financial challenge and Arsenal’s transfer plan

Signing Osimhen, however, would not be straightforward. Galatasaray are expected to demand a transfer fee in the region of £100 million. That would make him the biggest ever transfer out of the Turkish Super Lig.

Still, the overall cost of the deal could climb to around £200 million over five years once wages, bonuses and other commitments are included. Osimhen currently earns about £17.5 million per year, meaning Arsenal would likely need to offer wages close to £300,000 per week to secure his signature. That would place him among the highest earners at the club and require careful planning within their wage structure.

Despite the high cost, Arsenal are in a strong financial position. Their revenue has risen beyond £690 million, boosted by deep runs in Europe and major commercial deals. Under the Premier League’s new financial rules, which focus on spending relative to income, the club are considered well placed to invest heavily, provided they balance their books with player sales.

This could lead to changes in the squad. Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, who has had an inconsistent first season despite scoring 18 goals, may face uncertainty. Meanwhile, Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus, who has scored five times in 24 appearances, is also likely to be moved on as Arsenal reshape their attack.

With Arsenal keen to turn a competitive team into champions, it could be time to bring Osimhen to one of the biggest stages in world football.