If Arsenal manage to sign Napoli striker Victor Osimhen this summer then it would be ‘a real statement of intent’, according to journalist Dean Jones.

Mikel Arteta is set to prioritise the signing of a striker in the upcoming summer transfer window as he could be without a senior option upfront in few months’ time.

What is the latest news involving Osimhen?

Osimhen has established himself as one of European football’s most promising young forwards in recent years, moving from Lille to Napoli for €81.3 million (£69.5m) in July 2020.

Since then, the Nigeria international has registered 27 goals and nine assists in 60 appearances for Luciano Spalletti’s charges, attracting admiring glances from the Premier League.

According to Italian outlet La Repubblica (via Sport Witness), Manchester United ‘have already come forward’ with an offer of €100m (£84.4m) for Osimhen.

However, La Gazzetta dello Sport (via the Manchester Evening News), claim that the 6 foot 1 ace has chosen Arsenal over the Red Devils as he believes they will be able to offer him Champions League football.

The Gunners are in pole position to finish in fourth place in the Premier League table, which would see them qualify for Europe’s elite cup competition for the first time since 2016/17.

What has Jones said about Osimhen?

Jones believes Osimhen would be ‘an unbelievable focal point’ for Arsenal’s attack but isn’t convinced that he ‘wouldn’t consider’ United’s offer.

He told GiveMeSport: “He'd be an unbelievable focal point for that team. He's a brilliant goalscorer.

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“I'm personally not convinced that he wouldn't consider Manchester United, and he's also very expensive; Napoli aren't going to let this guy go for cheap.

“They paid a lot of money for him themselves, and he's going to go for even more money than that. So, that'd be a real statement of intent for Arsenal.”

What is Arsenal’s current striker situation?

Arteta made the bold decision to allow former club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join Barcelona on a free transfer in January following a disciplinary breach.

That left Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as the only senior options to lead the line and both players could depart on free transfers in the summer when their current contracts expire.

Therefore, securing a new striker will be high up on Arteta’s wish list ahead of next season, and Osimhen could be his preferred target if Arsenal manage to qualify for the Champions League.