Sunday, July 19, 2026

Arsenal scout Victor Osimhen as Arteta looks to solve striker problem

Osimhen was on target as the Turkish Super Lig leaders demolished their opponents in the Istanbul derby.

• May 29, 2026
Victor Osimhen
Victor Osimhen

Arsenal could be eyeing a move for Victor Osimhen in the upcoming summer transfer window, with recent reports suggesting that sporting director Andrea Berta was scouting the Nigerian international during Galatasaray’s 3-0 win against rivals Fenerbahce.

Osimhen was on target as the Turkish Super Lig leaders demolished their opponents in the Istanbul derby. The striker opened the scoring in the 40th minute after controlling a flick-on by Mario Lemina before firing the ball beyond Ederson.

It was his 13th league goal of the season and his 20th in all competitions. Osimhen has continued to build his reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in world football. While in Turkey, despite only signing for Galatasaray permanently in the summer of 2025, he is attracting interest from some of the best clubs in the world.

Arsenal’s Berta watches Osimhen as he bids to solve striker problem

Ahead of the game, Arsenal chief Berta and newly appointed recruitment chief Maurizio Micheli were spotted at the match on Sunday. They were guests of agent George Gardi, who played a key role in facilitating Osimhen’s transfer to Galatasaray last summer.

Reports have since suggested that the pair were taking a closer look at several Galatasaray players, but mainly the team’s talisman. Arsenal are on the lookout for a potential new striker, as they look to upgrade their forward line.

Although Viktor Gyökeres has developed as the 2025/26 season has progressed, his 12 goals in the league still only put him seventh in the Golden Boot race this season. Title rivals Manchester City, as a point of comparison, are able to call on Erling Haaland, who has managed 24 strikes this campaign.

It remains to be seen whether a transfer will come to pass, as any deal for Osimhen will cost Arsenal a considerable sum. But Super Eagles fans who want to place wagers on the striker’s future can do so on Bet9ja’s old mobile.

Signing Osimhen would take Arsenal to the next level

While goalscoring has not been a major weakness for Arsenal this season, it is an area the Gunners can definitely improve. They are second for total goals scored (60) behind Manchester City (63), but are only fourth for goals from open play.

Their total of 32 is tied with Manchester United. And if they are to make the jump to the next level, they need to pose more of a threat in front of the goal.

The big issue has been the lack of alternatives to Gyökeres. When the Swedish international has been ineffective, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are the two players Arteta has turned to. But neither of them has been available for large portions of the season, and they only have three goals between them in the league.

Osimhen would provide a different option to Gyökeres while also giving Arteta two starting-calibre strikers to call upon. That kind of depth is essential if Arsenal want to win league titles and dominate English and European football for years to come.

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