Arsenal have advantage over Chelsea in Osimhen race

Arsenal have an advantage over Chelsea in the race for Victor Osimhen, as the Napoli striker wants to play in the Champions League.

Arsenal look set to compete with Chelsea for the signing of Victor Osimhen in the summer transfer window, but it looks like the Gunners will have a couple of advantages over their London rivals.

For a start, The Athletic report that Chelsea have committed to lowering their wage bill, and they’d have to waive that commitment to be able to sign the striker.

But perhaps more importantly, The Athletic claim that Osimhen will want to play in the Champions League next season.

At the time of writing, Chelsea sit 10th in the Premier League table, 12 points off fourth despite having played a game more than Manchester City.

It’s possible England will have a fifth Champions League spot for next season, but that only slightly changes the picture.

Chelsea are 11 points off fifth, and again, they’ve played a game more than fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.

By contrast, Arsenal are second in the Premier League, with the chance to go top if they can beat West Ham United on Thursday night.

The Gunners look to be in a very good position to secure Champions League football again next season.

Osimhen recently signed a new deal with current club Napoli, but it contains a release clause reportedly set at around £112m.

That makes it difficult for Chelsea to simply outbid Arsenal, assuming the Gunners are willing to activate the clause.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Arsenal are interested in the striker, following various other rumours linking the two on social media in recent weeks.

Charles Watts reported in May 2022 that Arsenal had held talks with Osimhen’s agent, with the agent flying into London for a meeting with Edu Gaspar.

At the time, Napoli weren’t willing to sell, and Arsenal turned to Gabriel Jesus instead.

But Watts told his YouTube channel in November that Arsenal’s interest in Osimhen would not have gone away, and the Gunners do want a striker in the summer.

Osimhen has eight goals and three assists in his 18 appearances between Serie A and the Champions League so far this season.