Victor Osimhen has dealt Arsenal a major blow by deciding to stay at Galatasaray beyond the summer transfer window, Footynaija reports.
French outlet Foot Mercato reports that the Super Eagles striker has no plans to leave the Turkish champions, despite strong interest from Mikel Arteta’s side.
Osimhen’s decision is also linked to Galatasaray’s growing project. The expected arrival of Rafael Leão from AC Milan has helped convince the 27-year-old that Istanbul is the right place for him. Arsenal now have little choice but to look elsewhere for the centre-forward Arteta wants.
The Gunners have already spent much of the summer looking for an attacking solution. Julian Alvarez is still caught in a difficult situation at Atletico Madrid, while Marcus Rashford has returned to Manchester United after his Barcelona loan. Recent reports have also placed Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo on Arsenal’s shortlist.
With the transfer deadline set for Sept. 1, Arsenal must now decide whether to chase an elite name or choose a player who offers a different type of threat. Here are five forwards who could enter the conversation.
Osimhen: Arsenal’s 5 alternatives
Julian Alvarez
Alvarez is the closest match to the level Arsenal wanted from Osimhen. The Argentina international can play as a central striker, link with midfielders and press defenders. He scored eight LaLiga goals and supplied four assists in 29 league appearances in 2025-26.
His situation has become dramatic. Alvarez wants Barcelona, but Atletico have refused to negotiate with their LaLiga rivals. Arsenal have become his clearest alternative, with Atletico giving him until Sunday to decide whether to consider a move to London or stay in Madrid.
The problem is simply that Alvarez must first agree to Arsenal. That makes this a difficult deal, but the Barcelona-Atletico dispute has kept the door open.
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Marcus Rashford
Rashford offers Arsenal a very different solution. The England forward can play through the middle or from the left, which could become important if Gabriel Martinelli leaves the Emirates.
Rashford spent 2025-26 on loan at Barcelona, where he scored 10 goals in 32 matches. Barcelona had an option to buy him but did not take it, sending him back to Manchester United.
A recent report says Arsenal could explore a temporary deal before the deadline. Manchester United, however, have brought Rashford back into the first-team picture under Michael Carrick. That makes Arsenal’s route far from simple.
Matias Fernandez-Pardo
Fernandez-Pardo is the younger, more developmental option. The 21-year-old Lille forward is 1.82m tall and can operate across the attack. He developed at Lille after his spell at Gent and has attracted serious interest during the final days of the window.
Arsenal have reportedly put the Belgium international on their attacking shortlist. Lille have already rejected offers above €35m from RB Leipzig and above €40m from Atletico Madrid, while reports put Lille’s asking price close to €70m.
He is not an Osimhen replacement in the traditional sense. Fernandez-Pardo would give Arteta more movement and versatility rather than a dominant penalty-box striker.
Jean-Philippe Mateta
Mateta would give Arsenal a proven Premier League centre-forward. The 29-year-old France international has scored 57 goals in 181 appearances for Crystal Palace and won the club’s Player of the Season award in 2023-24.
His current situation could make him an interesting name. Mateta is challenging the validity of the final part of his Palace contract at FIFA. The deal is currently listed as running until June 2027 after Palace activated a 12-month extension in 2024.
Mateta also brings European experience. He scored regularly during Palace’s 2025-26 Conference League campaign as the club reached the final.
Thierno Barry
Barry would be a more direct, physical option. Everton’s 23-year-old striker is 1.95m tall and uses his pace and power to attack defenders.
He has started the 2026-27 season strongly. Barry scored against Crystal Palace on August 22 and then produced a hat-trick plus an assist in Everton’s 4-0 Carabao Cup win at Preston four days later. That gave him four goals in his first two competitive matches of the campaign.
Everton signed Barry from Villarreal in 2025 after he scored 11 goals and supplied four assists in 37 appearances for the Spanish club.
Barry would not carry Osimhen’s established record at the highest level, but his recent form and physical profile could make him an intriguing late-window option.
