Arsenal respond to Galatasaray warning over Victor Osimhen transfer

Arsenal want to sign Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray (Picture: Getty)

Galatasaray have warned Arsenal that Victor Osimhen will not be sold before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Premier League champions have discussed the possibility of signing Osimhen as Galatasaray work on deals for Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri.

Osimhen has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League throughout his career and almost joined Chelsea two years ago.

The 27-year-old helped Napoli win Serie A in 2023 before playing a crucial role in back-to-back title wins for Galatasaray.

Osimhen has scored 59 goals in 74 appearances in Turkey since completing a 75m euros (£65m) move from Napoli.

The Nigeria international refused to rule out a move away from Galatasaray after the club’s first league game of the new season on Friday, saying: ‘There are always rumours during the transfer windows.

‘I’ll focus on my job. I’m focused on my work. We’ll see and think about what comes next then.’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Shutterstock)

But Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has privately confirmed that Osimhen will not be sold under any circumstances, according to 343 Digital.

‘I will not say “yes” to any transaction that will harm Galatasaray or not benefit Galatasaray,’ Ozbek is said to have told his inner circle.

‘What I said about Baris Alper Yilmaz, I am now saying even more strongly about Osimhen. No matter how much the price is, I am not selling Osimhen.’

Galatasaray tried to sign Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli (Picture: Getty)

Galatasaray have already demonstrated their desire to keep hold of Osimhen by rejecting a 130m euros (£111m) bid from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.

But Turkish outlet Sozcu say Arsenal and Mikel Arteta remain ‘determined’ to sign Osimhen and view the Nigerian as ‘more accessible’ than Julian Alvarez.

The Gunners have held long-term interest in Alvarez but Atletico Madrid reportedly want at least £150m just to consider a summer sale.

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Arsenal spent £64m on Viktor Gyokeres last summer but the Sweden international endured a mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium.

In an exclusive interview with Metro last year, John Obi Mikel claimed Osimhen was keen to join a club capable of winning the Champions League and advised him against a move to the Saudi Pro League.

‘I think we want to see him in the Champions League so maybe Arsenal might be the destination. Maybe there is a door open there for Victor,’ said Obi Mikel, who was involved in Chelsea’s failed bid to sign Osimhen two years ago.