It’s being reported that while Galatasaray were enquiring about a transfer for Martinelli and/or Nwaneri, Victor Osimhen’s name came up in conversation.
It’s not clear if that was the Turkish champions’ suggestion or if Andrea Berta asked the question, but that’s why I think any deal is unlikely.
You don’t agree to pay the kind of numbers it would take to sign the striker on the basis of a casual chat.
Surely, if our Director of Football was willing to do that, he would have had the Nigerian at the top of his shortlist before last season had even ended?
Would Arsenal break their wage structure?
Arsenal would have to be prepared to make the 27-year-old one of, if not the highest earner at, the club.
The Gunners were willing to change their wage structure for Vinicius Jr, so it’s not like there is a lack of money at the Emirates.
Yet that was for the services of one of the best left midfielders in the world. I’m not questioning Osimhen’s quality in front of goal, I’m a huge fan of his, but is centre-forward a position that needs so much to be invested in?
Alvarez is different because, tactically, he can play anywhere across a front three.
Victor Gyokeres has only been in North London for 12 months, while our manager is a huge fan of Kai Havertz. Unless Mikel Arteta plans to permanently drop the German into midfield?
(Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Making the numbers work for Osimhen
If you assume that Saka is equally on approximately £300,000 a week, the Englishman is being taxed almost double what those in Turkey are, which is why many are moving to the Super Lig.
So, while the player is believed to be receptive to a move to the English capital, he will want to take home at least the same as he currently does in Istanbul.
To do that, Arsenal would have to offer dramatically more, which isn’t viable in terms of his salary.
It’s more likely he gets a huge signing-on/loyalty payment or a portion of his income paid into an image rights company where the tax is 25 per cent, not 40. So there are loopholes to make the numbers work, but either way it would be expensive.
I just wonder if a forward is the area where we would throw so much money?
I hope so, but fear it’s unlikely.
Dan Smith
What do you think, Gooners? Would Osimhen be worth the huge financial commitment, or should Arsenal be spending that kind of money elsewhere in the squad? Let us know in the comments.
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