Victor Osimhen could come to Mikel Arteta's rescue in the transfer market for almost a decade after turning down a move to Arsenal as a teenager.
The Napoli forward, currently on loan at Galatasaray, has had a prolific season in Turkey, scoring 14 goals in all competitions as the reigning champions sit top of the league.
His temporary spell with the Turkish giants came about after failed transfers to Al-Ahli and Chelsea last summer. The Nigeria international was banned from first-team training with the Italian giants at the request of Napoli boss Antonio Conte.
With the 26-year-old's future uncertain upon his return to Naples this summer, Osimhen has been touted as a player Arteta could target in a bid to solve his striker woes.
With injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, the Gunners boss does not have the strongest attacking options. A move for Osimhen would come almost a decade after he turned down a move to North London and signed for Wolfsburg.
At just 17 years of age, the forward impressed for the Bundesliga team after clinching the top scorer award at the 2015 FIFA U-17 World Cup – which Nigeria won – and signing for the club in January 2017.
After agreeing terms with his pre-contract club, Osimhen admitted he turned down the Premier League giants to develop as a player. “It's true that a big team like Arsenal wanted me and I feel honored to have been invited. But personally I think Wolfsburg is a ladder for me to achieve my professional goals,” he told BBC Sport.
“Yes, Arsenal is a good team for young players, but Wolfsburg is the best club for me. This is the best place for me to learn and develop because my heart is here with Wolfsburg. The club's plan for my career is very encouraging and I believe God on my side, I can become one of the best players in the world,” he added.
Arteta admitted that in light of the injuries his team have suffered, he may have to 'adjust' their transfer plans, which could mean bringing in a goalscorer with fans ideally hoping one arrives this month.
“We never just plan for 'a window,'” he said. “We have a plan, we look at the squad, how we are going to develop it, what we have in the academy, how we are going to change and adapt.
“From there, what you plan and the picture we have… either we are very bad at planning or no one could see that we would have so many injuries. You have to adapt, whatever the plan is.”
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