Arsenal Sporting Director Andrea Berta is understood to have held preliminary face-to-face discussions with Galatasaray President Dursun Özbek regarding a potential move for Victor Osimhen (27, Galatasaray, ST). Berta was pictured in attendance at the Intercontinental Derby against Fenerbahçe on April 26, where the Nigerian striker scored his 20th goal of the 2025/26 campaign. Despite signing the player from Napoli for €75 million in July 2025, the Turkish champions are expected to demand a fee in the region of £100 million to sanction a return to elite European competition for the forward.
The details of Berta's Istanbul mission
According to reports from AS and corroboration from Turkish journalist Serkan Korkmaz, Berta used the high-profile derby fixture to establish contact with the Galatasaray hierarchy. "Arsenal's target is Osimhen," Korkmaz stated, confirming that the meeting between Berta and Özbek took place the night following the match. Berta, who succeeded Edu Gaspar in March 2025, is reportedly leading an aggressive recruitment strategy focused on physical dominance in the final third. While the trip provided a scouting opportunity for teammates Barış Alper Yılmaz and Uğurcan Çakır, the primary objective is understood to be assessing the feasibility of a deal that could represent a £200 million total commitment when factoring in Osimhen's €21 million annual salary.
Arsenal's tactical search for a marquee No. 9
Mikel Arteta’s interest in Osimhen persists despite the £85 million arrival of Viktor Gyökeres in the summer of 2025. While Gyökeres provided immediate returns, the Arsenal management remains keen to add a differing profile to an attack that has occasionally struggled for clinical finishing during the business end of consecutive title races. Osimhen has maintained an elite output in Istanbul, recording 27 goal involvements (20 goals, 7 assists) in 31 appearances this season. His permanent status at Galatasaray, with a contract running until 2029, provides more stability for negotiations than his previous complex loan situation at Napoli, though his salary remains a significant hurdle. Arsenal would likely need to restructure their wage bill to accommodate the striker, who currently earns more than any player in the present squad at the Emirates Stadium.
The deal remains in the preliminary stages as Arsenal evaluate the financial impact of another high-cost striker ahead of the summer window.