Arsenal reject Osimhen's request: will the deal be completed?

Complicated negotiations

Arsenal have opened talks with Galatasaray over a move for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, 27.

According to French network "Foot Mercato", the Premier League champions want a reliable goalscorer to compete with Viktor Gyokeres and give Mikel Arteta more attacking options.

The Gunners begin their title defence today, Friday, against newly promoted Coventry City.

Osimhen racked up 30 goal contributions for Galatasaray last season, and that record has made him a favourite of Arteta's. An offer to the Turkish side is not imminent, though. The two parties remain some way apart on personal terms.

At Galatasaray, Osimhen pockets a net annual salary of 20 million euros and is tied to a contract until 2029.

Arsenal will not match those wages. But the Gunners will press on with their interest if the Nigerian agrees to take a pay cut.