Truth of Arsenal-Osimhen talks confirmed

James McNicholas reports for The Athletic that there are no active negotiations between Arsenal and Galatasaray over a potential transfer for Victor Osimhen.

McNicholas confirms the two clubs have been in dialogue over several players, but it seems this isn’t a deal they’re currently negotiating.

Matt Law had initially reported for The Telegraph that during talks between Arsenal and Galatasaray over Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri, the topic of Osimhen’s availability was raised.

Law wrote that it was unclear whether Arsenal’s Andrea Berta suggested the move, or whether the striker was offered to the Gunners.

Sami Mokbel then confirmed for the BBC that Osimhen was indeed understood to have been discussed by representatives of the two clubs. But it’s clearly not something that’s progressed much further than that initial conversation.

It’s very possible the initial discussions have ended due to Galatasaray’s strong stance on the striker, with club president Dursun Ozbek reportedly saying that no matter how much money is offered, he’s not selling Osimhen.

Arsenal are clearly on the lookout for a forward this summer, and Osimhen has long been touted as one of the best around.

The player has reportedly had a falling-out with his club over finances, and he often has on-field arguments with coaches and teammates, so the question marks around him stem more from that side of things than his ability.

But the question of whether a deal would still be worth doing is irrelevant if Galatasaray are truly refusing to sell at any price.