Arsenal already know the answer to Victor Osimhen transfer conundrum as swap deal emerges
It seems inevitable that Arsenal's next major transfer will be recruiting a centre-forward. The Gunners splashed in excess of £200million during the summer transfer window, overseeing a major midfield rebuild by recruiting Kai Havertz and Declan Rice whilst also strengthening their backline by bringing in versatile defender Jurrien Timber and goalkeeper David Raya.
Hale End academy graduate Folarin Balogun seemed like a potential first-choice striker in the long-term but Mikel Arteta opted to cash in on the 22-year-old while his stock was high, selling the USMNT star in a deal worth €40million (£34million), which also included a 17.5% sell-on clause, football.london understands. Brentford's Ivan Toney has since been mooted as a potential target for the north Londoners but a closer look at his goalscoring numbers show that he isn't the talismanic-like presence to take Arteta's side to the next level.
Toney netted an impressive 20 times in the Premier League last season but it's important to note that six of those were penalties. The England international found the back of the net on 12 occasions in the previous league season, with five of those coming from the spot.
A more exciting option upfront would be Napoli's Victor Osimhen, who recently fell out with the club following a TikTok scandal which resulted in the player's agent, Roberto Calenda, releasing a formal statement condemning the Italian giants. A recent report from Calciomercato even suggested that the Naples-based club are keen on Arsenal frontman Gabriel Jesus as a possible replacement — which could of course result in a potential swap deal involving Osimhen.
But realistically, Arsenal would need both. Jesus offers a rare blend of intense pressing, elite hold-up
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