Arsenal's Ambitious Pursuit of Julián Álvarez and Osimhen Negotiations

Arsenal have opened their Premier League campaign with a statement win. They are trying to follow it with an even louder one in the transfer market.

Mikel Arteta’s side swept aside Coventry City 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night, the champions easing past the newly-promoted visitors. Kai Havertz, leading the line, struck first, with Bukayo Saka and Martin Ødegaard adding the gloss in a dominant display.

The goals flowed. The transfer work hasn’t stopped.

Arsenal’s last throw for Álvarez

Despite that strong attacking start, Arsenal are still hunting a marquee centre-forward. Julián Álvarez remains right at the top of their list.

The problem? The Argentine has already made it clear he does not want a return to England. He left Manchester City for Barcelona in 2024 and, according to reports in Spain, has no desire to reverse that move.

Arsenal are trying to change his mind.

Spanish outlet SPORT reports that Atletico Madrid, Álvarez’s current club, would actually prefer to sell him to Arsenal rather than strengthen direct La Liga rivals Barcelona. To make that happen, the Gunners are said to be ready with a huge proposal: Victor Gyökeres plus €80million (£68m) in exchange for Álvarez.

The financial package for the player is just as aggressive. Arsenal are reportedly willing to offer Álvarez an annual salary of €25m (£21m), a figure that would place him among the club’s highest earners and, by the same report, would effectively double his current wages.

It is being framed as a last-ditch attempt. One final, eye-watering offer to tempt a reluctant striker back to the Premier League.

Osimhen enters the frame

Arsenal are not betting everything on Álvarez. A parallel track is already in motion.

Foot Mercato claims the club have opened negotiations with Galatasaray over Victor Osimhen, who has rebuilt his reputation in Turkey after his Napoli days and fired the Istanbul giants to back-to-back league titles.

His name first surfaced between the clubs when Galatasaray explored deals for Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Martinelli. Those talks did not bring Osimhen to north London, but the lines of communication stayed open. Now they are being tested again.

Osimhen, 27, would not come cheap either. The report notes that his current salary, around £17.1m a year, is a major obstacle and would likely require the Nigeria international to accept a significant wage cut to make any move viable. Tottenham are also credited with interest, adding a familiar north London edge to the chase.

Arsenal have their goals early in the season. The question now is whether they can land the striker who defines the rest of their year.