Arsenal set to rival Chelsea for £110m striker target as talks revealed

Arsenal are set to rival Chelsea in their pursuit of a striker, it has been claimed.

On Sunday the Gunners claimed a crucial 3-1 win over Liverpool at the Emirates to move two points off the Premier League summit.

It was a statement victory that has seen Mikel Arteta’s men blow the title race wide open.

Meanwhile, Arsenal do not appear to be resting on their laurels away from the pitch, having reportedly decided to rival Chelsea in the pursuit of Napoli star Victor Osimhen.

The Blues are reportedly hot favourites for the Nigeria international’s signature but will have to match a newly inserted release clause in his contract believed to be in the region of £100million and £110million.

The publication claims that Arsenal are also interested, however, having previously met with Osimhen's representatives back in 2022.

The Gunners are said to have other strikers on the radar for the summer, with Brentford’s Ivan Toney also targeted.

It has been claimed that Arsenal are yet to decide on their preferred striker target this summer, while Chelsea have made it their top priority to land Osimhen, irrespective of the financial outlay.

While the 25-year-old penned a new contract until 2026 in December, he indicated during an interview with CBS Sports that he has already decided to leave the reigning Serie A champions at the end of this season.

Osimhen is currently at the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria (Getty)

Osimhen said in January: "I think 60 per cent of everyone is arguing, or the rumour is going around about me linked to the Premier League.

“But when you are one of the hottest strikers in the globe, you play this type of thing. Of course, EPL is one of the biggest leagues in the whole world. Now I'm with Napoli, I signed a new contract, and I'm enjoying my time there, going through it with the team.

"At the end of the season, I think I already made up my mind. I already know what I wanna do with my career, since I've started, I've been the one making my own decisions and everything is working out well for me.

“Even though when I started it, it didn't go as well as planned. But I already have my plan, I already know what I want to do, and the next step I want to take. So for now I just want to finish the season strong, go relax somewhere with my daughter, and then finally come up with the decision I've already made."

Topics: Arsenal, Chelsea, Football, Premier League, Victor Osimhen, Transfers

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.