Arsenal will ignore Victor Osimhen arrangement if rival striker makes call

Arsenal may be tempted to ignore a clever clause inserted into Victor Osimhen’s transfer to Galatasaray if fellow striker target Viktor Gyokeres agrees to leave Sporting Lisbon in January. Both players were linked with the Gunners during the summer window as Mikel Arteta hunted for a new No 9.

The Spaniard ultimately failed to sign a centre-forward and instead replenished his forward line with the exciting addition of Raheem Sterling from Chelsea on transfer deadline day. Kai Havertz is likely to carry the scoring burden as Arteta’s main striker until at least January.

That won’t stop Arsenal targeting a new forward ahead of the winter window. Osimhen and Gyokeres could both be targets ahead, as would Newcastle star Alexander Isak who has started the Premier League season in good form.

According to reports in Turkey, Osimhen has a break clause in the loan move he completed to join Galatasaray from Napoli earlier this week. The clause reportedly has a view to allowing him to join a Premier League club if there is interest in January.

Arsenal may be tempted to test Napoli’s resolve, with the Nigerian’s value significantly decreased from the £150m the Italian club demanded a few years ago. If Osimhen impresses in the first half of the campaign, he will likely have Europe’s top clubs lining up hoping to complete a deal.

However, Arsenal’s pursuit of a striker may instead hinge on what Gyokeres decides to do in the second half of the season. According to HITC, the Swedish forward is close to making a decision on his long-term future.

Should he decide to leave Sporting, Arsenal will be at the front of the queue. The 26-year-old is better suited than Osimhen to the No 9 role in Arteta’s team.

Gyokeres has already scored seven goals in four Liga Portugal appearances this season, building on a hugely impressive debut campaign in which he struck 29 times in 33 top-flight appearances. Two years ago, he was playing in the Championship for Coventry.

Arteta would benefit from the addition of the former Brighton man, whose signing would allow Havertz to move back into midfield. The German has enjoyed an excellent start to the season, scoring twice, but has always seemed more comfortable in a deeper role.

Sterling’s arrival at the Emirates Stadium improves Arteta’s attacking options. But a new centre-forward in January is likely to be high on the club’s agenda.