Arsenal are reportedly looking to bring in a new striker in January and may look to send Gabriel Jesus to Napoli in exchange for Victor Osimhen.
The Gunners currently sit tied at the top of the Premier League table with cross-town rivals Tottenham Hotspur following their massive 1-0 win over Manchester City, but there are concerns within the squad regarding a reliable source of goals. Their current striker options are Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah, neither of whom are particularly decisive in front of goal, leading to Mikel Arteta seemingly demanding a ruthless goalscorer in January.
According to Italian outlet Calciomercato, Arsenal might be able to land a blockbuster swap deal with Napoli involving Victor Osimhen and Gabriel Jesus. The Serie A champions have identified Jesus as part of a three-man shortlist to replace Osimhen if he departs next year.
Victor Osimhen, 24, fired Napoli to their first Scudetto in three decades last season, bagging 31 goals in all competitions. However, the Nigerian international’s future in Naples has been plunged into doubt after a social media clip released by the club appeared to tease the striker. This has created problems within the striker’s camp as Osimhen now seems reluctant to sign a new contract with the Italian champions, the report adds.
Victor Osimhen and Gabriel Jesus swap deal—Should Arteta greenlight this deal?
Arsenal have started the 2023/24 campaign with six wins and two draws in their opening eight Premier League games. Having watched his attackers struggle in front of goal over the last few years, Arteta is desperate to sign an elite goalscorer.
Jesus’s inconsistent form and injury problems since his move from Manchester City in 2022 has been frustrating for Arteta and fans alike. Nketiah has also struggled for regular goals when he has been given opportunities, while Folarin Balogun was sold to AS Monaco in the summer.
Victor Osimhen would be a great upgrade on Arsenal’s current striker options. Having netted 31 goals last season, he has six in eight games so far this term. Osimhen would be a top option to solve Arteta’s search for a ruthless goalscorer. The Nigerian is a physical beast with good touch and link-up play skills, whilst being a composed finisher in front of the goal. He is a ruthless poacher—a profile Arsenal desperately crave for, with Bukayo Saka shouldering much of the goalscoring burden last term.
The 24-year-old is unlikely to come cheap but is virtually a guarantee of goals, so it’s entirely understandable why Arsenal are interested in signing him. The Gunners could use a clinical finisher like Osimhen in a swap deal for Jesus in order to properly challenge Man City and Liverpool for the Premier League title.
With tensions arising between him and Napoli, Osimhen is seemingly looking for a new challenge having decided against signing a new deal. The Nigerian will be hungry to compete at the highest level and challenge for major trophies, and a new confident outfit in the form of Arteta’s Arsenal would provide him with that platform.
