Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is close to a contract extension as the deal is close, according to Italian newspaper Rai (via CalcioNapoli24). The player’s agent Roberto Calenda reportedly met with Napoli CEO Aurelio de Laurentiis earlier this week to discuss the terms of a new contract, and the meeting was reportedly positive.
The Nigerian international’s new contract is said to include a €130m (£112m) “gentleman’s agreement” clause to ensure the 23-year-old’s departure from the reigning Serie A champions is a peaceful affair. The report adds that Arsenal have already contacted Calendo.
The Canaries have several options in the attack, with Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz in the attack this season. However, none of these players are as prolific as Osimhen, who scored 26 goals in Serie A last season.
It is not yet clear whether the former Lille striker will decide to move, as a number of other top European clubs, including Chelsea, are likely to bid for his signature. The Blues are certainly interested in the Napoli midfielder ahead of the January transfer deadline.
But an in-season move for the Nigerian seems unlikely at the moment, as football.london knows. One of the options for the west Londoners is Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who is said to be cheaper than Osimhen.
£50m Arsenal transfer demand gets Eddie Nketiah backlash after Ivan Toney decision
Arsenal continue to announce the signing of a new striker in the January transfer window. With the Gunners still not having a successful ninth striker this season, Ivan Toney and Victor Osimhen have been linked with them.
Mikel Arteta has put Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard in the central forward position this season. But in some games, many have wondered: “What if we had a prolific goalscorer?”.
With the January window opening in less than two weeks, there has been much speculation about the Gunners signing Toney and Osimhen. But with Brentford and Napoli demanding nearly £100 million, other options have emerged.
According to the Daily Star, Bournemouth midfielder Dominic Solanke is one of the players Arsenal could turn to if they fail to land their preferred targets. The Cherries are expected to ask for £50 million this winter after he scored eight Premier League goals this season.
Real Madrid man joins Arsenal
Arsenal are planning to bring Paulo Xavier, a highly rated Real Madrid scout, to the club. Sporting director Edu Gaspar continues to help build the club’s scouting department to support the Gunners’ strategy in the transfer market.
According to The Athletic, Xavier has left his role as Real Madrid’s Latin American scout to join Arsenal. The report adds that Xavier had been in his Madrid job since September 2017, but his new job with the Premier League team has already begun.
His new role at the Emirates Stadium will see him working alongside two other club scouts in South America. Xavier was a key member of chief scout Junior Calafat’s team in Madrid.
Athletic add in their report that Xavier is expected to announce his new role in the coming days. The former Real scout worked at the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) with Edu between 2015 and 2017.
Arsenal’s sporting director is responsible for Xavier’s appointment in north London and Xavier is expected to return to the Premier League club after having a brief spell at Manchester United before arriving in Madrid in 2017.
Arsenal have capitalized on the South American market in recent seasons, signing Gabriel Martinelli from Ituan in 2019 and Marquinhos from Sao Paulo in 2022. In recent weeks, the Gunners have been linked with Endrick, who is expected to join Madrid next summer, and Gabriel Moscardo.