Arsenal’s most recent Alexandre Lacazette decision highlights Mikel Arteta’s intentions in the transfer window, which is to spend a large amount on one striker. Victor Osimhen could be the focus of attention for the Spaniard due to recent links with the striker.
According to French news outlet L’Equipe, the Gunners could offer Lacazette a new short-term deal. This would be to solve the incoming striker shortages at the club and prevent Arteta from having to sign two strikers.
If the Gunners wanted to bring in a household name such as Osimhen, then he would cost around £83million according to Spanish news outlet Fichjaes. With such a high price tag, bringing in another striker alongside the Nigerian would certainly be expensive for the Gunners, which could explain why Arteta is willing to offer Lacazette a short-term deal.
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If Lacazette departs from the club then Arsenal will be in desperate need of two new strikers in the summer transfer window, as both the Frenchman and Eddie Nketiah's days are looking increasingly numbered. Both players’ contracts are set to expire at the end of the season and they have been linked with a move away from the club.
Crystal Palace are reportedly one of the clubs hopeful of signing Nketiah on a free transfer in the summer. Patrick Vieira failed to bring him at the start of this season, with the two clubs unable to agree on a fee, but this will no longer be an issue.
If he does depart from the club, along with Lacazette, then Folarin Balogun would be the only remaining striker at the club, meaning two striker signings may be required to combat the need for greater squad depth if Arsenal secure a return to the Champions League.
However, keeping Lacazette at the club will not only help solve the striker shortages. But it would also allow Arteta to attempt a mega deal for a player such as Osimhen.
The Napoli forward is an athletic, quick and imposing attacker. He mixes a lightning turn of pace with long-distance speed and is certainly more than capable of being a prominent threat on the counter-attack for Arsenal.
The Nigerian international certainly would fit the Arsenal profile, and he has previously been courted by former Gunners manager Arsene Wenger. Osimhen has been the star player for Napoli and his national team since making the switch from French side Lille in 2019 after scoring 18 league goals in a single campaign.
Giving Lacazette a short-term deal would certainly make sense, as the current Arsenal captain would be an excellent backup option for a striker like Osimhen. Giving him a year-long contract would also allow Arsenal to strengthen in the striker position again next summer to provide quality competition for the attacking role.
