Mikel Arteta has personally called Julian Alvarez in a late push to sign him, with Victor Osimhen still very much in the picture as Arsenal’s alternative if that deal falls through.
Victor Osimhen’s move to Arsenal hasn’t fallen through — but it’s not the club’s first choice right now either. With the transfer window nearing its close, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been working the phones personally to land Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, leaving the Super Eagles striker as a fallback plan rather than the priority signing.
According to Legit.ng, Arteta has taken the unusual step of personally contacting Alvarez in a last-ditch push to bring the Argentine to north London before the window shuts. Alvarez remains Arsenal’s top attacking target this summer, even with Barcelona also pushing hard for his signature.
Atletico’s board reportedly prefers to sell Alvarez to a club outside La Liga rather than strengthen a domestic rival — a stance that’s worked in Arsenal’s favour in the boardroom, even as Diego Simeone has made clear he wants to keep the player. Arsenal even offered to include Viktor Gyokeres in a swap deal to sweeten the offer, but that proposal was rejected. Alvarez’s camp has maintained he wants Barcelona, leaving Arsenal waiting on a definitive answer from Madrid.
Arsenal haven’t walked away from Osimhen. Sources cited by GOAL say the club held talks with Galatasaray last week over the Nigerian striker, who has spent the season on loan in Turkey. Earlier reports indicated Arsenal were prepared to offer Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli as part of a package deal — though Galatasaray have made clear they have no intention of releasing Osimhen this summer.
That resistance makes the Osimhen route considerably more complicated, even as a fallback. Arsenal’s recruitment team is now weighing two difficult paths: convince Alvarez to snub Barcelona, or find a way past Galatasaray’s refusal to sell.
Osimhen remains a genuinely elite option if Arsenal do pivot fully in his direction — the 2023 CAF Men’s Player of the Year has the profile to walk into most Premier League attacks. But being cast as Plan B this late in the window isn’t the strongest position for a move to actually get done before deadline day. We’d treat any imminent “Osimhen to Arsenal” headlines with caution until Galatasaray’s stance visibly shifts.
For Super Eagles fans, either outcome — a move to Arsenal or an extended stay in Turkey — keeps Osimhen’s profile high heading into Nigeria’s next round of fixtures, which matters for a squad still finding its feet after missing out on the World Cup.
Catch up on the earlier stages of this saga in our reports on Osimhen’s transfer watch as Man City, PSG and Barca circled and Galatasaray cutting their asking price to €65m. If you’re following the Premier League this season, check our Premier League 2026/27 table and fixtures hub.
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Is Victor Osimhen definitely joining Arsenal?
No. Arsenal are currently prioritising a move for Julian Alvarez, with Osimhen positioned as their fallback option if that deal collapses.
Why is a deal for Osimhen complicated?
Galatasaray, who have Osimhen on loan, have said they have no intention of releasing him this summer, even after Arsenal reportedly offered players as part of a package.
Who else is Arsenal chasing this summer?
Julian Alvarez is Arsenal’s top attacking target, with Arteta personally involved in trying to convince the Argentine to choose Arsenal over Barcelona.
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