Arsenal urged to target Premier League star if Chelsea secure Victor Osimhen transfer

A former Premier League goalkeeper has suggested that Arsenal should consider signing a striker as an alternative to Victor Osimhen.

The Gunners have been linked with an array of forwards throughout the summer transfer window including the prolific Nigerian from Napoli.

Many believe Mikel Arteta needs to bolster his attacking options if the north London side are to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title again.

Napoli want in excess of £85million for their star man who is widely understood to be keen on leaving Serie A and the club are willing to facilitate a move at the right price.

Despite Arsenal’s reported renewed interest in Osimhen, Chelsea still appear to be front-runners to secure his signature.

ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop, who played in the English top-flight for Newcastle, West Ham and Portsmouth, believes Brentford striker Ivan Toney should be Arteta and Edu’s number one alternative target.

Toney, who bagged 20 goals in the league in 2022/23 before facing a lengthy ban for betting, has been the subject of interest from Saudi Pro League club Al Ahli.

But Hislop says the Gunners should do ‘everything’ they can to keep Toney in England after he was left out of Thomas Frank’s side for the opening-day victory over Crystal Palace amid his rumoured exit.

‘Money aside, if Arsenal could, for me, I think the best striker out there who’s available is Victor Osimhen,’ Hislop said.

‘I know, by all reports, he’s got his sights set elsewhere. So, okay, if he’s not available, then absolutely yes, Ivan Toney.

‘I think you go for him. I think that Arsenal desperately need that out-and-out striker now.

‘Again, Ivan Toney, he’s already in London, I think he ticks a whole lot of boxes for both club and player.’

Hislop also cited the 28-year-old’s prospects with the national team as one of the reasons he’d likely prefer to stay in the Premier League.

He added: ‘Can you compete with the money that Saudi Arabia may be offering? No. But, I think you’ve got to stake your claim.

‘Toney wants to keep himself in the reckoning in and around the England squad. I think there’s an opportunity for him to make that move down the road.

‘If I’m Arsenal, I am trying to do everything I can to convince him to come to north London as opposed to head out to the Middle East.’

Arsenal have already brought in Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna for £42m, while goalkeeper David Raya’s loan move from Brentford was made permanent.

Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino is also on the brink of joining for a fee of up to £32m with many feeling another attacker would complete the final piece of the puzzle for Arteta this season.

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