Arsenal have discussed the availability of Victor Osimhen with Galatasaray as negotiations between the clubs over Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri open the door to a potentially blockbuster transfer.
The Premier League champions have made an inquiry about the Nigerian striker during wider discussions with the Turkish giants, according to The Telegraph.
The development adds a dramatic new dimension to negotiations that initially centred on Galatasaray’s attempts to sign players from Arsenal.
Galatasaray have submitted an offer worth around €45 million (£38.4m) for Martinelli and have also expressed interest in Nwaneri. The 19-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille.
Arsenal are now understood to have used those discussions to establish whether Osimhen could be available.
The 27-year-old Nigeria international has previously attracted interest from the Gunners and is regarded as one of Europe’s leading centre-forwards.
However, there is no indication at this stage that Galatasaray are actively seeking to sell Osimhen or that negotiations have reached the point of a formal Arsenal offer.
The Telegraph reports that Arsenal’s interest is exploratory, with Osimhen’s name being raised during the wider talks between the two clubs.
That distinction could prove important. Galatasaray are reluctant to lose their star striker and reportedly rejected a huge offer from Saudi Arabia earlier this summer.
Osimhen has become a hugely important figure in Istanbul after initially joining Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in 2024. The Turkish club subsequently made his move permanent.
His goals have helped strengthen Galatasaray’s position domestically, making any attempt to prise him away a potentially expensive operation.
The talks nevertheless arrive at an interesting time for Arsenal.
The Gunners are reshaping their attacking options after winning the Premier League last season and have shown a willingness to listen to offers for established players.
Martinelli’s future is particularly significant. Galatasaray have made a serious move for the Brazilian winger, although convincing the player to leave north London for Turkey could present another obstacle.
Nwaneri could also become part of the discussions. The Arsenal academy graduate remains one of England’s highly rated young attacking talents, but his future has attracted increasing speculation following his loan spell in France.
Whether the discussions ultimately lead to an Osimhen transfer remains uncertain.
For now, Arsenal have established their interest and raised the striker’s availability directly with Galatasaray. If the Turkish champions show any willingness to negotiate, what began as talks over Martinelli and Nwaneri could develop into one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer.
