Fabrizio Romano says Arsenal actually rejected the chance to sign £100m player this summer

Arsenal had a very good transfer window it has to be said.

The Gunners signed one of the best players at Euro 2024 in the shape of Riccardo Calafiori. Arsenal signed Mikel Merino to solve their midfield depth issues, while Raheem Sterling arrived on deadline day to provide attacking reinforcements.

However, there is still something of a hole in this Arsenal team.

Despite 18 months’ worth of speculation, Arsenal still don’t have a new number nine, but they did have some options in the summer.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano has been discussing Arsenal’s options in the summer, and he says that Victor Osimhen was actually offered to Mikel Arteta’s side at the beginning of the transfer window.

Victor Osimhen was offered to Arsenal

Romano shared what he knows about Osimhen.

“Let me also say that at the beginning of the summer at the beginning of the summer transfer window. Arsenal were also offered the possibility to sign Victor Osimhen at the time at the value of the release clause €120/130m. Arsenal immediately decided against that opportunity,” Romano said.

“We saw in the media again in July and August about Arsenal again, but that was never a possibility because Arsenal already decided in June against signing a new number nine, so Arsenal were not going to invest big money on that player.”

“Especially they were not going to put that amount of money on that player. In case of an opportunity like Benjamin Sesko, Arsenal were ready to pay €50/60m, but for €120m (£100m) they were never prepared to pay that money.”

Victor Osimhen of Napoli is arriving in Dimaro for the preseason camp of SSC Napoli in Dimaro, Trento, Italy, on July 11, 2024.

Victor Osimhen couldn’t get a move

Osimhen was offered to Arsenal at the beginning of the transfer window for £100m, and now, he’s joining Galatasaray on loan.

To say it’s been a strange few months for Osimhen would be an understatement.

The Nigerian has gone from being arguably the hottest striking property in Europe to playing in the Turkish Super Lig.

There’s a reason nobody took a punt on Osimhen, and it’s fair to say that Arsenal may have had a bit of a lucky escape in this situation.