Napoli striker Victor Osimhen has revealed how he came close to joining Arsene Wenger's Arsenal in 2017 before moving to Wolfsburg.
Osimhen has caught the attention of Europe's best this season with his exceptional form in front of goal. The 24 year-old has scored 25 goals in 29 games in Italy this season, helping Napoli close to their first Serie A title in 33 years.
Manchester United and Chelsea have both been credited with interest in the Nigerian international ahead of the summer transfer window. Both teams are desperate for a new striker to lead the line next season and Osimhen's form for Luciano Spalletti's side makes him hard to overlook.
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Previously compared with Didier Drogba, Osimhen has been sharp in front of goal for a while. He scored 20 goals in 36 games for Belgian side RSC Charleroi in the 2018/19 season before hitting another 18 the following campaign with LOSC Lille.
His record in Ligue 1 convinced Napoli to break their smash their transfer record for a €70million (£61.5m) move with potential for the overall fee to rise to €80m (£70.3m) - making him the most expensive African footballer to date. Osimhen has scored 53 goals for Gli Azzurri in 91 games since signing in 2020.
But his career could have been so different. Back in 2017, Osimhen captured the attention of clubs in Europe's top five divisions after his performances at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup - where he scored ten goals to help Nigeria win the tournament.
According to the player himself, he could have joined the Gunners at the age of 18. Osimhen joined Wolfsburg in January 2018 - the same month Wenger had purchased Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. There were already Alexandre Lacazette, Danny Welbeck and Lucas Perez in the squad - possibly the reason why he never moved to the Emirates Stadium.
Speaking to Centregoals, he said: "I spoke with Arsene Wenger and he wanted me to come to Arsenal but it was not the best option at the time."
Osimhen join a host of high-profile names that Wenger failed to sign throughout his 22-year spell in charge in north London which includes Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane, Yaya Toure, Ronaldinho and Kylian Mbappe.
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