Victor Osimhen: Fabrizio Romano Gives Fresh Update on Nigerian Striker’s Premier League Transfer
- Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano addressed weeks of speculation linking Victor Osimhen to Arsenal
- Romano revealed that Galatasaray consider Osimhen unsellable and that the Nigerian striker is happy at the club
- The pundit traced the rumours to separate talks between Arsenal and Galatasaray over Gabriel Martinelli
PAY ATTENTION: Mark Legit.ng as a preferred source, and our content will appear higher in your Google feed!
Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has shut down reports linking Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen to a summer move to Arsenal, saying the Premier League club never held talks with Galatasaray over the Super Eagles forward.
The 27-year-old Nigerian striker has been strongly linked with the reigning Premier League champions as rumours continue to circulate about Mikel Arteta's side still searching for a new forward to bolster their attack this season.
Source: Getty Images
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said the rumours had persisted for weeks but had no basis in fact.
"Some of you are asking me about Victor Osimhen for weeks now, not only today, if Osimhen can be an option for Arsenal, if it's true Arsenal are talking to Victor Osimhen. Not true guys," he said.
Romano was direct about Galatasaray's position, saying the Turkish club regard the Nigerian as central to their plans and have no intention of letting him leave.
"Arsenal never opened negotiations for Osimhen for one reason, Osimhen is going nowhere. Osimhen is part of the strategy for Galatasaray. Osimhen is not for sale," he said.
The Italian pundit added that no club had seriously pursued the striker because a transfer was simply not possible.
"Osimhen was never considered as an option for any club because Osimhen cannot move. He is happy at Galatasaray. Galatasaray love Osimhen. Galatasaray now have some fantastic players. They have a fantastic squad."
Osimhen joined Galatasaray from Napoli in the summer of 2024 and has settled into impressive form.
The Nigerian striker scored four goals across his opening two Super Lig fixtures against Çorum and Erzurumspor this season, form that Romano acknowledged had drawn attention from clubs across Europe.
Nigerian football expert speaks on Osimhen's future
Speaking to Legit.ng, Nigerian football expert Toritseju Williams said Romano's update should finally put an end to speculation surrounding Osimhen's future, particularly with Galatasaray showing no willingness to entertain offers.
“Osimhen is one of the biggest names in African football, so it is normal for top clubs to be linked with him. But there is a difference between genuine interest and an actual transfer negotiation. From Romano's clarification, Arsenal never made that move.”
Williams added that Osimhen's importance to Galatasaray makes a late departure increasingly unlikely.
“He is not just another player in that squad; he is central to their ambitions, and his current form makes replacing him almost impossible. Unless something extraordinary happens, Osimhen staying at Galatasaray is the most realistic outcome, and that could be good for him as he continues to play regularly and score goals.”
Martinelli talks sparked the confusion
Romano said the Arsenal-Osimhen links likely grew out of a separate conversation between the two clubs involving Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli.
"For Victor Osimhen to leave at this point will make no sense. Osimhen is staying. I think those rumours were just because Arsenal and Galatasaray were talking about Martinelli but Martinelli didn't want to go to Turkey," he explained.
With the summer transfer window nearing its close, One Football reports Osimhen is expected to remain at Galatasaray as the club push to retain their Super Lig title.
Barcelona ready to hijack Osimhen deal
In a related development, Legit.ng reported about Barcelona's renewed interest in Osimhen after their failed attempt to secure Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid.
With Osimhen's impressive performance at Galatasaray, including scoring four goals in just two matches, the stakes are high as multiple clubs, including Arsenal and Tottenham, eye a potential bidding war for his signature.
Source: Legit.ng
