Arsenal’s Osimhen pursuit makes Barcelona and Sesko among winners

Arsenal are considering a move for 27-year-old Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen after his name emerged during negotiations with Galatasaray. The 2025/26 Premier League champions are assessing a major financial package for the forward, whose possible arrival would affect several clubs and players.

Osimhen was discussed while Galatasaray pursued Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli with a rejected €40 million offer. No transfer has been completed, but dialogue over the Nigerian has placed him at the centre of Arsenal’s planning before the window closes. Arsenal have won four of their last five matches and drawn the other, including a 1-1 result at Paris Saint-Germain, while their next fixture is against Coventry on August 21.

Barcelona would be one of the clearest beneficiaries if Arsenal sign Osimhen. The Catalan club still need a leading striker for Hansi Flick’s team after Atlético Madrid rejected a €100 million offer for Julián Álvarez. Barcelona are also interested in Viktor Gyökeres, but Arsenal would be less likely to consider his departure if they fail to add another forward. Osimhen’s arrival could therefore remove the main obstacle to a move for Gyökeres.

Osimhen himself would gain the chance to build his reputation in the Premier League. He has scored 61 goals in 75 appearances in Turkey and won consecutive Süper Lig titles in 2024/25 and 2025/26, but his critics question the level of that competition. A move to England would give him another platform after his 26-goal Serie A Capocannoniere campaign and Napoli’s 2022/23 Scudetto.

Benjamin Šeško could also benefit indirectly. Manchester United have considered Osimhen for Michael Carrick’s squad, and his arrival at Old Trafford would threaten the first-team opportunities of the 23-year-old Slovenian striker. Arsenal taking Osimhen out of that race would leave Šeško with a clearer route to regular minutes.

Arsenal would be pursuing more than domestic success. They won the Premier League and the 2026 FA Community Shield, but have never lifted the Champions League after losing finals in 2005/06 and 2025/26. Osimhen’s record and physical qualities would add another elite option as they chase that missing trophy. His arrival would also bring a major name back to a league that has lost Mohamed Salah and Rodri during the summer.