Arsenal Launch Osimhen Talks After Galatasaray SHOCK Al Hilal With €130m Rejection

The negotiations have largely focused on Arsenal duo Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri, but reports from Britain and Europe indicate that Osimhen’s situation was also discussed during the meetings.

According to The Telegraph football correspondent Matt Law, Galatasaray have submitted a £38.4 million bid for Martinelli and shown interest in Nwaneri following extensive discussions with Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta.

However, it is yet to be established whether Berta brought up the possibility of signing Osimhen or whether Galatasaray themselves mentioned the striker as part of the wider negotiations.

Arsenal have long admired the 27-year-old forward, although Julian Alvarez was reportedly their first-choice striker target. Their pursuit of the Atletico Madrid star has become increasingly complicated, with the Spanish club believed to be demanding more than £100 million for the Argentina international.

Atletico have already turned down an £86 million offer from Barcelona, prompting Arsenal to explore alternative options as they look to bolster their attacking ranks.

Osimhen is no stranger to Premier League interest. Chelsea held advanced talks with the Nigerian two years ago during his time at Napoli, but the striker ultimately moved to Galatasaray on loan before completing a permanent transfer to the Turkish giants for a reported €75 million.

Since arriving in Turkey, Osimhen has established himself as one of Europe’s most dangerous goalscorers, registering 59 goals in 74 appearances for Galatasaray.

Last season, he scored 22 Super Lig goals and provided six assists in 33 appearances, helping Galatasaray secure their second consecutive league title.

However, Galatasaray’s firm stance could make an Arsenal move extremely challenging. German transfer journalist Florian Plettenberg reported that Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal had presented a €130 million verbal offer for Osimhen through an intermediary, only for Galatasaray to reject the approach.

Plettenberg wrote on that Galatasaray had been offered €130 million for Osimhen but were unwilling to negotiate and had no plans to enter talks over the striker at this stage.

The latest development appears to contradict earlier reports claiming Galatasaray had reduced their asking price to around €65 million amid interest from Al Hilal.

Another report has since suggested that the Turkish champions have no intention of selling Osimhen, having already rejected an offer worth more than €130 million.