Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface
Osimhen, Boniface on four-man Arsenal strikers shortlist
Arsenal have apparently drawn up a four-man shortlist of striking options for the summer transfer window, with Super Eagles duo Victor Osimhen and Victor Boniface among them.
During a dismal spell of winter form, in which they won just one of seven games from December 9 to January 7 with just five goals to boast, Gooners were crying out for a new striker to arrive midway through the season.
However, with the threat of Financial Fair Play sanctions hovering over their heads, Arsenal – who spent over £200m on Declan Rice, Kai Havertz and Jurrien Timber in the summer transfer window – did not answer their supporters’ calls.
Mikel Arteta and Edu’s decision to stick with the options at their disposal has been vindicated, as the Gunners have run riot since returning from a mid-season Dubai training camp, winning each of their first six Premier League games in 2024.
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The Gunners have struck a staggering 25 top-flight goals in that time – including 15 in their last three matches with Newcastle United, Burnley and West Ham United – but their shortcomings did come to the fore in a 1-0 loss to Porto in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League contest.
Leading number nine Gabriel Jesus has struggled with knee injuries during his time at the Emirates Stadium, while Eddie Nketiah is still playing second fiddle to the Brazilian and is not a long-term solution up front.
Having also allowed Folarin Balogun to depart for Monaco over the summer, Arsenal are expected to prioritise the capture of a new marksman this summer, and according to TEAMtalk, four names are under consideration.
The first of those is Napoli talisman and 2022-23 Serie A top scorer Victor Osimhen, who netted 26 times en route to Scudetto glory last season but is confirmed to be leaving the club at the end of the campaign.
The Gunners are said to be behind Chelsea in the race to sign the Nigeria international, though, while Paris Saint-Germain are also in the running and are better placed to pay Osimhen’s mammoth £113m release clause.
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