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Arsenal’s long-standing pursuit of a top-class striker continues, but former England international Gary Lineker believes the Gunners should look closer to home instead of splashing out on Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Footynaija.com reports.
Mikel Arteta’s side has struggled for firepower this season, with injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus leaving them short in attack.
Despite Arteta’s public calls for reinforcements in January, the club failed to bring in any new faces. A recent injury to Kai Havertz has further exposed their lack of depth up front, with midfielder Mikel Merino forced to deputise as a false nine in the 1-0 defeat to West Ham.
Osimhen, who was instrumental in Napoli’s Serie A-winning campaign in 2022-23, has been frozen out under Antonio Conte and is currently on loan at Galatasaray.
While Arsenal have been linked with a move, Lineker believes the financial demands could prove too steep.
“Victor Osimhen is there, isn’t he?” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast. “He without a doubt would score goals for them. The problem they’ve got now is the whole world knows they need a forward.
“So a player who might have cost £60-70 million is now going to be worth £100-110 million when Arsenal come in. They’re going to have to pay over the odds, and perhaps that was their issue last summer and in January—maybe they refused to pay over the top for someone.
“They need a top-class centre-forward. They did before a ball was kicked this season, and my opinion hasn’t changed.”
Victor Osimhen on Galatasaray: “I really love this club, I love the fans, I love everyone associated with this club… for me it’s a really big privilege to be here and I’m enjoying it.” (@HasanTankaya/@omerrozcann) pic.twitter.com/eBVTAEEQPD
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) February 25, 2025
While Osimhen remains a tempting option, Lineker put forward an alternative—Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, who has impressed in the Premier League this season.
“If I were them, I’d go for Delap at Ipswich,” Lineker suggested. “I know he’s young and not entirely proven, but he’s scored quite a lot of goals in the Premier League for a team that’s obviously struggled having been promoted.
“I like him and his movement. There’s talk of him going back to Man City, but [Erling] Haaland has signed a nine-year deal, so you might have to wait an awfully long time to get a game.”
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak remains a popular choice among Arsenal fans, but Alan Shearer cast doubt on the Gunners’ ability to secure his signature.
“I don’t think Arsenal can afford him. I really don’t. I’m being serious,” Shearer said. “Why would he want to go there if Newcastle get into the Champions League and win a trophy? This could be a huge season for Newcastle.”
With Arsenal in desperate need of a reliable goal-scorer, the summer transfer window promises to be pivotal in determining their title ambitions.
