Arsenal are looking at alternatives to Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, given the finances involved in signing the Nigeria international.

NAPLES, ITALY: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League match between SCC Napoli and SC Braga at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 12, 2023. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League match between SCC Napoli and SC Braga at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 12, 2023. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

Fabrizio Romano reports in his Daily Briefing that whilst Arsenal have always appreciated Victor Osimhen, they are one of many clubs growing cautious about the prospect of signing the striker.

With a potentially hefty salary package on top of a very expensive release clause, Osimhen could end up costing a huge sum of money.

As a result, Arsenal are now looking at other strikers, including Viktor Gyokeres of Sporting CP.

Sporting Lisbon's Swedish forward #09 Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring during the Portuguese League football match between Rio Ave FC and Sporting CP at the Rio Ave FC - Dos Arcos stadium in Vila do Conde, on February 25, 2024. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)
Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres celebrates scoring during the Portuguese League football match between Rio Ave FC and Sporting CP at the Rio Ave FC – Dos Arcos stadium in Vila do Conde, on February 25, 2024. (Photo by MIGUEL RIOPA/AFP via Getty Images)

Osimhen had regularly been linked with Arsenal earlier in the season, though they were far from the only club in the race.

Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis previously confirmed that the striker has a release clause, and that Arsenal were in the mix.

“Some players stay for many years, others are wanted by PSG, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea…” De Laurentiis said.

“It’s difficult to keep players when they are wanted by rich clubs.

“I can confirm there’s a release clause, a very high one.”

NAPLES, ITALY: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League match between SCC Napoli and SC Braga at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 12, 2023. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)
NAPLES, ITALY: Victor Osimhen of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League match between SCC Napoli and SC Braga at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on December 12, 2023. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

PSG are seemingly the more likely destination for Osimhen at this stage.

David Ornstein had reported that Osimhen features prominently on PSG’s list of candidates to replace Kylian Mbappe this summer, with the club already stepping up various discussions in January to be ready for the player’s potential departure.

Mbappe has informed PSG of his intention to leave, pushing the club into the market.