^ ^ Victor Osimhen makes Arsenal transfer decision after Galatasaray warning

Arsenal have expressed interest in Victor Osimhen (Picture: Getty)

Victor Osimhen will readily approve a move to Arsenal if Galatasaray change their stance and agree a deal with the Premier League champions, according to reports in Turkey.

The Gunners are interested in signing a new striker before the end of the summer transfer window after Viktor Gyokeres’ mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium.

Gyokeres scored 21 goals in all competitions as Arsenal won a long-awaited Premier League title and reached the Champions League final, but the Sweden international nevertheless received criticism from fans and pundits.

Arsenal expressed interest in Julian Alvarez earlier in the summer but Atletico Madrid have already rebuffed several approaches for the Argentine World Cup finalist.

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The possibility of signing Osimhen was raised as Galatasaray approached Arsenal to discuss deals for Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri.

Osimhen has been repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League throughout his career and came close to joining Chelsea two years ago.

Now Arsenal are considering bringing the Nigerian to England, with reports in Turkey claiming Mikel Arteta remains ‘determined’ to strike a deal.

Mikel Arteta wants to bring a new striker to Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Osimhen refused to rule out a move away from Galatasaray last week but the Turkish club have so far ruled out a summer sale, even rejecting a lucrative offer from the Saudi Pro League.

But Arsenal are still believed to be pursuing Osimhen, who has scored an impressive 61 goals in 75 games in Turkey, and will try to make a breakthrough before the transfer deadline.

And the Gunners have been given fresh hope of a deal with Turkish journalist Serdar Ali Çelikler claiming on NEO Spor that there is ‘no chance’ Osimhen would reject Arsenal.

Current Arsenal striker Viktor Gyokeres (Picture: Getty)

In an exclusive interview with Metro last year, John Obi Mikel claimed Osimhen was keen to join a club capable of winning the Champions League and advised him against a move to the Saudi Pro League.

‘I think we want to see him in the Champions League so maybe Arsenal might be the destination. Maybe there is a door open there for Victor,’ said Obi Mikel, who was involved in Chelsea’s failed bid to sign Osimhen two years ago.

‘I’ve had a few conversations with him. I won’t say much about what those conversations were but he is working to make sure he ends up at a top, top European league where he can showcase his talent and compete to win the Champions League.’

Galatasaray do not want to sell Victor Osimhen (Picture: Getty)

Arsenal are hoping to retain their Premier League crown this season and go one better in the Champions League after a heartbreaking defeat in the final to PSG back in May.

Arteta’s side look primed to compete on both fronts, having enjoyed a productive transfer window and thumped Manchester City 3-0 in Sunday’s Community Shield.

Speaking after that impressive win, Arteta admitted Arsenal wanted to dip back into the transfer market before the deadline but said his focus was on defensive additions.

‘We know that there are certain areas that, through injuries, we are weaker and we need to strengthen,’ Arteta said.

‘We are trying to do that, we’ve been trying to do that for weeks so only the right opportunity and the club is available to do it, we will do it.’

Arsenal begin their Premier League title defence with a home match against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday night.

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^ ^ Jamie Carragher says Manchester United should have signed £85m Tottenham star: ‘I was worried’

Liverpool legend and ex-England defender Jamie Carragher (Picture: Getty)

Jamie Carragher has questioned Manchester United’s move for Youri Tielemans and says Michael Carrick should have signed new Tottenham star Mateus Fernandes.

United completed a £35m deal for Aston Villa midfielder Tielemans last month, with the Belgium international signing a five-year deal at Old Trafford.

Carrick had already bolstered his midfield options with the £50m signing of Andrey Santos from Chelsea.

Manchester United made midfield reinforcements their focus earlier in the transfer window after losing Casemiro at the end of last season.

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But Liverpool legend and ex-England defender Carragher has suggested United signed the wrong midfielder, insisting they should have beaten Tottenham to a deal for Fernandes.

The Red Devils held talks with West Ham over a deal but pulled out of the running over Fernandes’ asking price of £85m.

‘I was a little bit worried when I saw United linked with Fernandes because I thought that could be a good signing,’ Carragher said on The Overlap.

Tottenham beat Man Utd to Mateus Fernandes (Picture: Shutterstock)

‘I just looked at him and his age and was surprised United didn’t go for Fernandes. They said it was too expensive but was it that expensive?

‘I know £85m is a lot but you’re never going to get a really top midfielder now for £50m.’

Discussing Tielemans’ move to Manchester United, Carragher added: ‘The thing with Tielemans, I was watching the Super Cup and I’d just seen that Man United were on ITV playing Leeds, so I put it on.

‘It just came to me a little bit – Tielemans was taking a corner, and it come to me, he’s a good player, don’t get me wrong.

Manchester United summer signing Youri Tielemans (Picture: Getty)

‘But you’d almost feel like he should have been at United a few years ago, then gone to Villa – not being at Villa, then gone to United.

‘I’m not saying he’s had his best days, but it almost felt like the wrong way round. The last three years should have been at United, and then he gets sold to Villa.’

Despite bringing two new midfielders to Old Trafford this summer, Paul Scholes still believes a third could be needed as Carrick looks to build on the promising start to his tenure.

Manchester United will try to close the gap on Manchester City and defending Premier League champions Arsenal this season while making their return to the Champions League.

‘That’s a priority position for United,’ Scholes said. ‘We’ve got players who can cover the forward areas – I think [Matheus] Cunha can play centre-forward, and [Bryan] Mbeumo can play centre-forward. And you’ve still got – I don’t know what’s going to happen with Marcus Rashford, but again, there’s another option in that area.

‘So I still think either centre-half or central midfielder is a priority before the end of the window.’

Manchester United face newly-promoted Hull City in their Premier League opener on Saturday.

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^ ^ Paul Scholes makes Man Utd title claim after Arsenal thump Man City

Paul Scholes won 11 Premier League titles at Man Utd (Picture: Getty)

Paul Scholes has been encouraged by Manchester United’s progress under Michael Carrick but believes it is still too early for his former club to challenge Arsenal for the Premier League title.

United looked set to miss out on Champions League qualification and perhaps even European football altogether last season until Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in the Old Trafford hot-seat.

Carrick guided the Red Devils to a third-place finish after taking over from Amorim in January, with United finishing just seven points behind local rivals Manchester City.

Manchester United’s form in the second-half of the campaign has led to calls that Carrick could mount a genuine bid for the Premier League title in his first full season in charge.

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But Scholes, who won 11 league titles during his long and successful career at Old Trafford, believes United are still ‘a little bit away’ from defending champions Arsenal.

Arsenal won their first Premier League title since 2004 last season while also reaching the Champions League final, which they lost to PSG on penalties.

The Gunners are enjoying another productive transfer window and thumped Enzo Maresca’s Man City 3-0 in the Community Shield on Sunday.

Man Utd have impressed under Michael Carrick (Picture: Getty)

Asked about Manchester United’s progress over the last six months, Scholes said on The Overlap: ‘I think it comes from Michael Carrick’s character. He’s just a calm and relaxed character, he won’t ever get too high or too low.

‘Where you have to judge United’s transfer buisness is what do you expect from them? Are you expecting them to challenge for the Premier League? I still think that’s a little bit away with the business that’s been done.

‘I think on the recruitment point of view, they seem to be doing it in different sections. This time last year they seemed to sort out the forward line which is now much better and much more dangerous.

Arsenal stormed to the Community Shield (Picture: Getty)

‘They could probably still do with another centre forward to help [Benjamin] Sesko out a bit. He’s still young and he did get better last season, there’s no doubt about that.

‘It feels like the priority this summer has been the middle of the pitch and that area was a problem last season.

‘I still think it’s a problem, not just from centre midfield but centre half as well because every team that had joy against us, it felt like they were coming straight down the middle because of the lack of pace and mobility in there.

Man Utd summer signing Andrey Santos (Picture: Getty)

‘I’ve hardly seen [Andrey] Santos play so you need to give the lad a chance but I still think there might need something else in there.

‘[Youri] Tielemans is a brilliant footballer and can control the game but again athleticism isn’t his strength. I still think there’s a problem down the middle, I still think they need centre-halves.

‘I don’t think the current ones are of the quality to try and win the Premier League and that‘s where I judge Man United.

Arsenal won the title last season ahead of Man City (Picture: Getty)

‘In that position you need players who are reliable every single week but United’s are always picking up injuries.

‘We’ve got [Harry] Maguire who’s starting to pick up niggles, Lisandro Martinez just can’t stay fit, Leny Yoro has struggled a bit over the last two years and it looks like the level if a little bit above him, although he’s still young and he might come on with Ayden Heaven.

‘So I still think a big area of the pitch is that spine to make the side more solid and give them more legs and have more reliability at centre half. 

‘The thing Michael Carrick is going to have to deal with now as well is midweek football. He had an unbelievable run last year but everything was in his favour if you know what I mean.

‘Now all of a sudden he’s got these extra games which will have an impact on the squad.’

Manchester United kick-start their 2026-27 Premier League campaign against newly-promoted Hull City at the weekend.

Arsenal, meanwhile, begin their Premier League title defence on Friday night against another former Championship side, Coventry City.

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^ ^ Arsenal respond to Galatasaray warning over Victor Osimhen transfer

Arsenal want to sign Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray (Picture: Getty)

Galatasaray have warned Arsenal that Victor Osimhen will not be sold before the end of the summer transfer window.

The Premier League champions have discussed the possibility of signing Osimhen as Galatasaray work on deals for Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri.

Osimhen has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League throughout his career and almost joined Chelsea two years ago.

The 27-year-old helped Napoli win Serie A in 2023 before playing a crucial role in back-to-back title wins for Galatasaray.

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Osimhen has scored 59 goals in 74 appearances in Turkey since completing a 75m euros (£65m) move from Napoli.

The Nigeria international refused to rule out a move away from Galatasaray after the club’s first league game of the new season on Friday, saying: ‘There are always rumours during the transfer windows.

‘I’ll focus on my job. I’m focused on my work. We’ll see and think about what comes next then.’

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta (Picture: Shutterstock)

But Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek has privately confirmed that Osimhen will not be sold under any circumstances, according to 343 Digital.

‘I will not say “yes” to any transaction that will harm Galatasaray or not benefit Galatasaray,’ Ozbek is said to have told his inner circle.

‘What I said about Baris Alper Yilmaz, I am now saying even more strongly about Osimhen. No matter how much the price is, I am not selling Osimhen.’

Galatasaray tried to sign Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli (Picture: Getty)

Galatasaray have already demonstrated their desire to keep hold of Osimhen by rejecting a 130m euros (£111m) bid from Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal.

But Turkish outlet Sozcu say Arsenal and Mikel Arteta remain ‘determined’ to sign Osimhen and view the Nigerian as ‘more accessible’ than Julian Alvarez.

The Gunners have held long-term interest in Alvarez but Atletico Madrid reportedly want at least £150m just to consider a summer sale.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Da0mqH6IFbX/

Arsenal spent £64m on Viktor Gyokeres last summer but the Sweden international endured a mixed first season at the Emirates Stadium.

In an exclusive interview with Metro last year, John Obi Mikel claimed Osimhen was keen to join a club capable of winning the Champions League and advised him against a move to the Saudi Pro League.

‘I think we want to see him in the Champions League so maybe Arsenal might be the destination. Maybe there is a door open there for Victor,’ said Obi Mikel, who was involved in Chelsea’s failed bid to sign Osimhen two years ago.

‘I’ve had a few conversations with him. I won’t say much about what those conversations were but he is working to make sure he ends up at a top, top European league where he can showcase his talent and compete to win the Champions League.’

Meanwhile, Galatasaray are struggling to convince Arsenal’s longest-serving player, Martinelli, to swap the Premier League for the Turkish Super Lig.

Arsenal face Manchester City in the Community Shield on Sunday before kick-starting their Premier League title defence against newly-promoted Coventry City.

As well as winning their first league title since 2004 last season, Arteta’s side also reached the Champions League final but lost to PSG on penalties.

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^ ^ Pedro Neto agrees deal to leave Chelsea after Man City and Arsenal talks

Pedro Neto is closing in on a Chelsea transfer exit (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea winger Pedro Neto has agreed personal terms with a new club after holding talks with Manchester City, Arsenal and Tottenham.

Neto, 26, has been a mainstay in the Chelsea team over the last two seasons, making over 100 appearances for the Blues since his £54m move from Wolves.

The Portugal winger has been linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge after Chelsea continued their remarkable spending spree by bringing in more than ten new signings this summer.

Premier League rivals Man City, Arsenal and Spurs have all expressed interest in signing Neto, who indicated he was open to a summer move.

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New City boss Enzo Maresca worked with Neto at Chelsea and is keen to welcome his former player to the Etihad Stadium after replacing Pep Guardiola in the hot-seat.

Premier League champions Arsenal have also set their sights on signing a new winger and turned to Neto after missing out on a deal for Real Madrid and Brazil icon Vinicius Junior.

Tottenham also admire Neto and hoped to poach the Portuguese international from London rivals Chelsea as they continue a big-spending summer.

Neto has played over 100 games for Chelsea (Picture: Shutterstock)

Despite interest from a host of Premier League clubs, Neto is closing in on a move away from England after agreeing personal terms with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal, according to Sky Switzerland.

It is claimed Neto has approved a move to Saudi Arabia, while Al Hilal are prepared to pay Chelsea around 60m euros (£51m) to secure his signature.

Earlier in the summer it was reported that Chelsea wanted £70m for Neto but a fee of just over £50m would see them almost recoup the money they spent to sign him from Wolves in 2024.

New Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea finished just 10th in the Premier League last season, failing to qualify for any European competition, but are expected to improve under former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso.

The Blues beat Real Sociedad 3-1 in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday ahead of next weekend’s Premier League opener against Fulham.

‘It was a very good last preparation game,’ Alonso said after Chelsea concluded pre-season by beating Sociedad.

‘For some players it was the first one and the last one. For us, there were some good things, some things we can improve. It’s normal at this moment for some players.

‘It was great to have all the team together. Some of them after three days could play for 60 minutes. It was the last test.

‘Now we have a whole week to prepare for Fulham, but it was a good feeling in the stadium.’

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^ ^ Arsenal star receives new transfer offer after rejecting £38m Galatasaray move

There could be a few more exits at Arsenal before the transfer window closes (Picture: UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Napoli have approached Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli with talks underway over a move to the Serie A giants.

The Brazil international is among the clutch of players Arsenal are prepared to listen to offers for this summer after last season’s Premier League-winning campaign.

Galatasaray are eager to sign the 25-year-old, making an offer of £38million this week. Arsenal have held talks with the Turkish giants over a number of prospective moves with Ethan Nwaneri also targeted. The Gunners have also enquired into Victor Osimhen’s availability during those discussions.

Martinelli has informed Arsenal however he does not want to join Galatasaray and is not pushing to leave the club this summer.

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But Napoli are also ready to test his resolve with Sportitalia reporting the Serie A giants have sounded out the Brazilian with talks ongoing.

Martinelli made 53 appearances across all competitions last season, scoring 11 goals and providing seven assists.

Arsenal begin their season in the Community Shield against Manchester City on Sunday before their Premier League campaign begins against newly-promoted Coventry City next Friday night.

Napoli keen to sign the Brazilian (Picture: Fran Santiago – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Speaking ahead of Sunday’s game, Mikel Arteta admitted it was likely some members of his squad would move on before the summer window closes, naming 19-year-old Nwaneri as a player who is in a particularly difficult position.

‘I want him to be at the club. But we have to think about the medium and long term,’ Arteta said.

Martinelli has already turned down Galatasaray (Picture: Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

‘What is best for the player? Ethan needs to play football. If he stays here, we must be able to guarantee him those minutes, otherwise it won’t be beneficial for either side.’

Asked if Arsenal must sell before they can make further recruitments, Arteta added: ‘Well we have certain possibilities that we have to explore.

‘So far with the numbers we have, we are happy, but we have to accept that there are certain players that might have to move.’

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