Arsenal not giving up on Osimhen yet, make contact

Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Napoli star Victor Osimhen, as the Premier League giants intensify their search for a prolific frontman this summer, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The Nigeria international has been in scintillating form since joining the Italian side from Lille in 2020, netting 76 times in all competitions.

His goal-scoring prowess has not gone unnoticed, with several Premier League heavyweights keeping tabs on the 25-year-old striker who has also garnered attention from Real Madrid and French giants Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Mikel Arteta’s side are not believed to be leading the race for his signature despite already touching base over a transfer. That’s after Gianluca Di Marzio told bettingexpert.com (via The Mirror) that no solid negotiations have taken place as of yet.

Paris Saint-Germain have reportedly made Osimhen one of their top targets this summer, as they look to fill the void left by Kylian Mbappe following his move to Real Madrid.

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The Ligue 1 giants could be the only European club capable of luring him away from Napoli, although they are reluctant to meet his £112m release clause.

Despite heavy links with the player in recent years, Chelsea appear to be out of the running for Osimhen after showing little interest of late. It’s believed that Enzo Maresca prefers Atletico Madrid’s Samu Omorodion, but Alvaro Morata’s move to AC Milan has complicated that storyline.

Paris 2024: Brazil beat the Super Falcons in opening game

The Super Falcons began their campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on a shaky footing, losing 0-1 to Brazil in their first match. 

Nigeria came into the game on the back of an impressive showing at the 2023 FIFA World Cup and an eight-game unbeaten run.

They started the match well, missing a couple of chances to have taken the lead in the French city of Bordeaux.

Many thought the team would go into the tunnel with the lead or at least all square with the South Americans. But Gabi Nunez finished off finely with about eight minutes to the end of the first half to give Coach Randy Waldrum’s side a mountain to climb in the second half.

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Upon the resumption of the second half, the Nigerians rallied to get back into the game. But their final balls were rarely threatening the Brazilian defence.

Despite running some changes and bringing in fresh legs to push for an equaliser, the Brazilians defended gallantly to deny the Super Falcons the leveller.

Nigeria’s next game is against world champions Spain. That match is on the 28th of July before the team take on Japan on the 31st.

In the other Group C game, Spain saw off Japan 2-1 while the US defeated Zambia 3-0 in a Group B tie. France mauled Colombia 3-0 in a Group A encounter on the same day.

Paris 2024: Brazil beat the Super Falcons in opening game

PSG not giving up on Osimhen, seek further slash in price

Paris Saint-Germain is still negotiating a lower transfer fee for Napoli striker Victor Osimhen as they pursue the Nigeria international this summer.

According to transfer market expert Gianluca Di Marzio, PSG are poised to retake the lead in their pursuit of the Napoli striker.

In contrast, Italian sports news outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that the French champions are still dissatisfied with Napoli’s reduced asking price of £100 million.

“The Parisian club would in fact have decided to take a step back. President Al-Khelaifi considers the 100 million euros excessive, believing that with De Laurentiis he is making the same mistake as last summer,” the report stated.

Napoli had initially demanded the full payment of Osimhen’s £130m release clause, a figure that has deterred many potential suitors. PSG, however, have refused to meet this valuation and are hoping for a further reduction in the price.

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The prolonged negotiations have reportedly left Osimhen frustrated, with Italian publication Tutto Napoli suggesting that the striker is now open to considering offers from Saudi Arabian clubs Al-Ahli and Al-Hilal.

“Osimhen is fed up, a prisoner of his golden contract. De Laurentiis will probably grant discounts on the clause but not sales,” Tutto Napoli wrote.

As the transfer saga continues, PSG may need to offload either Goncalo Ramos or Randal Kolo-Muani to make room for Osimhen.

Interestingly, Chelsea have reportedly been offered the chance to sign these two PSG forwards, potentially holding the key to Osimhen’s move to the French capital.

Osimhen, who joined Napoli in 2020 for a club-record fee, has been in impressive form, scoring 41 league goals in the past two seasons and helping the club secure their first Scudetto in over three decades.

PSG not giving up on Osimhen, seek further slash in price