Aurelio De Laurentiis told Edu Arsenal will pay £84m for Osimhen

Napoli president Aurelio Laurentiis has reportedly told Arsenal Technical Director Edu that Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen who plays his club football with Napoli will cost the Gunners cost around £84million.

The Gunners are searching for a top-class frontman this summer after allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join Barcelona during the January transfer window. 

To make matters even more complicated, both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are into the final four months of their respective contracts at the Emirates Stadium and the north Londoners could look to bring in two centre-forwards this summer.

Lille's Jonathan David and Real Sociedad star Jonathan Isak are two of the many names that have been mooted as potential targets for technical director Edu. 

Now, Gazzetta dello have reported that Arsenal are interested in Osimhen.

The report also claims that a move will not happen unless the Gunners can cough up around €100m (£84million) for the Nigerian international. Osimhen joined Napoli for a reported £58million plus add-ons back in the summer of 2020 and has since notched 25 goals and seven assists for the Italian giants.

The 23-year-old has previously been heavily linked with a move to Mikel Arteta's side and he even turned down a chance of a move to north London as a teenager. “I spoke with Arsene Wenger after the tournament (Under-17 World Cup in 2015) ended and he wanted me to come to Arsenal,” he said in an interview back in 2020.

Arsenal are one of many clubs that are monitoring Osimhen. Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are also keeping tabs.

Osimhen could be an ideal option for the Gunners, having made good progress in his second campaign in the Italian top-flight.

The Super Eagles forward had a debut season disrupted by a shoulder injury. He finished with just 10 goals from 30 games.

He has also been hampered this term by a cheekbone fracture but has fared better with 15 goals from just 25 appearances.

Osimhen has impressed with his aerial prowess, dribbling and finishing qualities, though his passing still needs improvement.

At 23, he fits into the profile of players that the Gunners are after. They definitely need a striker with a better aerial presence.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal pay a record fee for Osimhen. It has been claimed that they have a ‘substantial budget’.

Qualifying for the Champions League should boost their prospects of landing him ahead of their Premier League rivals.