Why Arsenal Might Not Sign Victor Osimhen: Premier League Club Could Turn Down Nigerian Forward

• The club football future of marquee Nigerian forward, Victor Osimhen, remains a subject of significant interest
• The Napoli forward is expected to end his four-year stint with the Italian club, according to widespread reports
• Sports Brief highlights a few reasons why the combative Super Eagles forward might not join Arsenal this summer

Which club Victor Osimhen will next represent remains a hot topic in European football.

The Nigerian forward, who made a name for himself by leading Napoli to their first Serie A title in 30 years in 2023, is expected to leave the Partenopei in the summer transfer window.

According to transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano, despite signing a new contract in December 2023, Osimhen has a gentleman's agreement to leave the Serie A club for an appropriate transfer fee this summer.

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The Nigerian superstar has reportedly attracted interest from numerous clubs, including Paris Saint-Germain and English Premier League teams like Chelsea, Manchester United, and Arsenal.

However, while a move to Stamford Bridge appears unlikely, a recent report from Corriere dello Sport has suggested that the 25-year-old could also face challenges in securing a transfer to the Emirates Stadium.

In light of this, Sports Brief highlights the potential reasons why Osimhen’s move to Arsenal might not materialise.

Why Osimhen's transfer to Arsenal might not happen

High transfer fee

The Super Eagles forward is expected to command a transfer fee of around €100 million, a sum that might be slightly beyond the reach of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal.

The Gunners have a reputation for being prudent with their transfers, with their biggest spending to date being the signing of Declan Rice in the summer of 2023.

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Many view the signing of the English midfielder for such a hefty fee as a one-off and do not expect the North London club to replicate such spending in this summer’s window. As a result, alternatives to Osimhen, such as Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, might be considered.

Osimhen’s injury record

The injury record of the Nigerian forward might be another consideration for Arsenal when attempting to finalise his signing.

According to data from Football Transfer, the Napoli forward has experienced 15 different injury layoffs within the past four years, causing him to miss as many as 65 games for the Italian side since joining them in 2020.

Given the demanding nature of the Premier League, where injuries to key players can significantly hinder a club’s title ambitions, Arsenal’s hierarchy might prefer signing a forward with a more consistent injury-free record.

The timing of the AFCON

The scheduling of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) could serve as another crucial factor in Arsenal’s pursuit of Osimhen. The biennial competition, often held during the winter, has frequently caused tension between clubs and players, with clubs being hesitant to release their players for the AFCON during a critical part of the season.

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Elite clubs often shy away from signing African talents to avoid losing key players for nearly two months due to mid-season international commitments. This consideration could also influence Arsenal’s decision regarding the Super Eagles star.

While it remains to be seen which club Osimhen will join in the summer, all indications point towards an imminent departure for the Nigerian forward from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Mosimane discusses European clubs signing Nigerians

Sports Brief also previously reported on Pitso Mosimane’s thoughts on European clubs signing African players.

The 59-year-old coach explained why elite clubs tended to prefer signing Nigerian players over South Africans.