'Contact made' - Arsenal make £85m 'u-turn decision' over lethal striker

Arsenal are reportedly back in the race to sign ‘one of the best players’ in the world. The Gunners may well be close to sealing the deal to sign Italy’s in-form defender Riccardo Calafiori but that has not stopped their interest in bringing in an out-and-out striker to the mix.

While figures such as Benjamin Sesko and Manchester United’s new recruit Joshua Zirkzee had been heavily linked with a move to North London, Victor Osimhen’s name is now back in the mix to be making the journey to N7.

According to the latest reports from Corriere dello Sport, the Gunners have rejoined the race to sign the Napoli striker who had appeared close to signing with Paris Saint-Germain earlier this summer. The French giants were seemingly close to prising the Nigerian sensation away from Italy but have backed away due to his £85m asking price.

The same issue had been cited as the reason that the Gunners’ pulled out earlier in the window - with Arsenal deeming the deal for the striker too expensive. However, recent reports in Italy have now suggested that the Gunners have not only returned to the table but have in fact made contact to sign the 25-year-old.

Osimhen, who has been described as ‘one of the best players in the world’ netted 17 times as well as contributing four further assists in 27 starts for Napoli last season. His preferred transfer destination remains the Premier League with Chelsea also said to still be keeping tabs on his situation.

The 25-year-old forward was left out of his club’s pre-season friendly against Albanian side KF Egnatia amid the ongoing Gunners rumours and has already publicly stated his hope of one day joining the England’s top tier football league. Back in January, Osimhen was asked if he wished to play in the Premier League to which he replied: “Of course one day, definitely. But for now, I have other plans in my career that I am looking forward to. So when the time comes, everyone knows.”