The real reason why Arsenal rejected Victor Osimhen when he was last offered to them in 2024
Victor Osimhen has once again been linked with a move to Arsenal.
The Nigeria international has been on the radar of several Premier League clubs over the years, but for one reason or another, he has never made it to England.
Now at Galatasaray, Osimhen has emerged as a target for Arsenal and a few other clubs, and he could be on the move.
It remains to be seen what the Gunners will do, especially as they rejected the chance to sign him a couple of years ago.
Why Arsenal turned down Victor Osimhen in the summer of 2024
Victor Osimhen has been one of the best strikers in Europe for many years now.
After a stunning spell at Lille, the attacker moved to Napoli in Italy and guided them to their first Serie A title in three decades.
It became clear in 2024 that Osimhen would leave Naples, and he was linked with a number of huge clubs across the continent.
Fabrizio Romano revealed at the time that Arsenal were offered a chance to sign Osimhen, but the Gunners respectfully turned it down.
The reason? His mammoth price tag.
Romano said in 2024: “Let me say that also, at the beginning of the summer transfer window, in June, Arsenal were also offered the possibility to sign Victor Osimhen.
“That time, for the value of the release clause – so, something between €120 million and €130 million (£101m-£109m).
“Arsenal immediately decided against that possibility. Then, we saw again in the rumours in the media in Italy, Osimhen and Arsenal again in July and August – that was never a possibility. That’s because Arsenal, already in June, decided against investing on a number nine.
“So, Arsenal were not going to put big money on that player, and especially they were not going to put that amount of money on that player.
“In case of an opportunity like Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal were prepared to do it. €50-€60 million (£42m-£50m) was something OK. But for €120 million, Arsenal were never prepared to pay that money.
“It was also about FFP and the salary. The salary of Victor Osimhen for Arsenal was something that they didn’t want to afford. This is why Arsenal were never really in the race this summer for Victor Osimhen, but they were offered this possibility.”
Osimhen’s price tag is likely to be much lower now, and Arsenal are also in a much better financial position to afford a big salary.
It remains to be seen now if the Gunners will consider signing him in the coming weeks.