Arsenal Transfer News Roundup: Gunners plan Victor Osimhen talks; club monitoring Everton ace, and more - June 17, 2024
Arsenal are working to upgrade their squad after failing to get their hands on the Premier League title in the 2023-24 campaign. Mikel Arteta's men finished second in the league, with Manchester City pipping them to the top prize on the final day of the season.
Meanwhile, the Gunners are considering a move for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer. Elsewhere, the north London giants are interested in Everton midfielder Amadou Onana.
On that note, here's a look at the key Arsenal transfer stories as on June 17, 2024:
Arsenal plan Victor Osimhen talks
Arsenal are planning to move for Victor Osimhen in the coming days, according to journalist Ciro Venerato. Arteta is desperate to sign a new No. 9 this summer to complete his attack and had his eyes on Benjamin Sesko.
However, it was recently revealed that the 21-year-old won't leave RB Leipzig this summer, as he wishes to continue his development at the Red Bull Arena. The situation has forced Arteta to turn to other targets.
There are few candidates better for the role than Osimhen, who has gained tremendous fame, thanks to his recent exploits with Napoli. The 25-year-old is among the most feared strikers in world football right now and is wanted by multiple clubs this summer.
Speaking recently, as cited by Caught Offside, Venerato backed the Gunners to go on the offensive for the Nigerian soon.
“Arsenal will make an attempt with Napoli in the next few days after many rumours. The Gunners wanted Sesko, who instead decided to stay at Leipzig,” said Venerato
Osimhen signed a new deal with the Serie A giants last December, which reportedly contains a €130 million release clause.
Gunners monitoring Amadou Onana
Arsenal have their eyes on Amadou Onana this summer, according to acclaimed transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The Belgian midfielder is expected to take the next step in his career following an impressive campaign with Everton.
Arteta is looking for a new midfielder to replace Thomas Partey, whose time at the Emirates could be coming to an end this summer. Recent reports have suggested that the Spaniard has identified Onana as a candidate for the job.
However, in his column for Caught Offside, Romano added that the Gunners are yet to initiate a move for the 22-year-old.
“Arsenal keep monitoring Onana but at the moment there is nothing in terms of direct contacts, so let’s see what happens, but, for Everton, the expectation is for some clubs to move for the Belgian midfielder," said Romano.
He continued:
“Onana has also been linked with Aston Villa, but my understanding is that Villa remain focused on the swap deal involving Douglas Luiz joining Juventus, with Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior moving in the other direction.”
Onana has also been linked with Barcelona recently.
Mikel Arteta considering new winger, says journalist
Arsenal could look to bring in a new wide forward this summer to cover for Bukayo Saka, according to transfer insider Ben Jacobs. The English forward was overworked in the 2023-24 campaign, bearing much of the goalscoring burden for Mikel Arteta's side.
Saka scored 20 goals and set up 14 in 47 games across competitions. Arteta was heavily criticised for being over-reliant on the 22-year-old, so the manager could be tempted to seek cover for the position over the summer.
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, Jacobs pointed out that the north London side are aware that Saka could suffer from burnout due to excessive football.
"As far as wide forwards are concerned, it could be something that Arsenal look at because of the amount of minutes that Saka played last season, and also because he'll be coming off the Euros as well. So quite an intense summer leading into another busy season," said Jacobs.
However, Jacobs added that the Gunners have more pressing matters in the transfer market this year.
"But at the moment, the priority is in those other positions, a more central forward, a midfielder, and possibly also a young left-back," said Jacobs.
He continued:
"And if they could find a young left-back that can also be versatile and play left-back, centre-back, then even better, and that was what they liked about Jorrel Hato, even though the expectation is that he'll stay at Ajax. He's a centre-back that can also play left-back."
Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Pedro Neto has been named as a candidate for the job.