Victor Osimhen celebrates
Reports in Italy over the weekend have linked Arsenal with a shock swap deal that could see Victor Osimhen move to the Emirates Stadium with Emile Smith Rowe moving to Serie A side Napoli.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Napoli are keeping tabs on the playmaker’s situation in north London and could purchase him as part of their plan to revitalise their squad after finishing 10th in the Serie A table, reports football.london.
The report does claim that Napoli could look to include Osimhen to bring Smith Rowe to the club. It would see Arsenal pay a lump sum of cash to sign the striker.
football.london says: “Now this is an interesting story and one Arsenal fans should be happy with. Smith Rowe has barely featured when fit in the last 12 months and he’s been one of the players tipped to depart.
“A new striker is exactly what they are missing and Osimhen is one of the best around. He’s been linked with a move away from Naples in the build-up to the summer but rumours have gone quiet.
“Arsenal would have to pay a premium as part of the swap deal but the inclusion of Smith Rowe could lower the finances involved. I don’t think they should turn their nose up to that.”
Arsenal have been handed a boost in their hopes of signing Monaco defensive midfielder Youssouf Fofana after he admitted he has spoken to his club about departing.
Fofana, who is part of France’s Euro 2024 squad, is wanted by the likes of Man United, PSG, AC Milan and Atletico Madrid. His contract expires at Monaco next year so there’s a big possibility he could depart for as little as £20m.
“I have spoken about it with the hierarchy, it isn’t a secret,’ Fofana told a press conference. “We had exchanges and they agreed to accompany me in this new stage.
“If [a move] doesn’t happen, I still have a year left and I will be happy to stay. We were in agreement that we would accompany each other in this process in which everyone should be a winner, be it me or the club.”
