Arsenal’s Osimhen pursuit reaches a crucial stage over salary demands

Victor Osimhen remains Mikel Arteta’s main attacking target, but Arsenal’s hopes of signing the Nigeria international could depend on whether he is prepared to reduce his wage demands.

According to Topskills Sports UK, the Arsenal manager still believes he can persuade Osimhen to accept a lower salary and make the move to north London possible. However, negotiations are proving difficult because the striker’s financial expectations are understood to be significantly beyond the level Arsenal are willing to pay.

Osimhen’s net annual salary is reported to be more than €20m. Arsenal have so far refused to match those demands, creating a substantial gap between the player’s expectations and the club’s position.

Despite that disagreement, Arteta is not ready to end Arsenal’s interest. The Spanish coach reportedly believes an agreement can still be reached if Osimhen accepts a considerable reduction in his salary. The striker continues to be viewed as the priority addition for Arsenal’s attack.

The club must now try to reach a compromise that fits within its financial limits while preserving the opportunity to recruit one of the most sought-after forwards in the transfer market. Arsenal appear determined not to exceed their wage structure, leaving the next stage of the talks heavily dependent on Osimhen’s willingness to make a financial concession.

The player’s decision could therefore prove decisive. Arsenal are prepared to continue pursuing the deal, but the club does not appear willing to abandon its limits in order to complete the transfer.

The situation remains unresolved, with both sides likely to have to compromise before a deal can be completed. Arteta, however, continues to place Osimhen at the top of his attacking shortlist and intends to keep trying to convince him that Arsenal is the right destination.

Osimhen, a native of Lagos, is valued at €75m and remains under contract with Cimbom until June 2029. That long-term commitment gives his current club a strong contractual position, while Arsenal’s financial restrictions mean the player’s salary may be as important to the transfer as the fee itself.

Arsenal will soon play their second league match of the English season against Aston Villa. The betting company 1xbet has listed Arsenal as favourites, with a victory priced at 1.82. A draw is listed at 3.60, while an Aston Villa win is priced at 3.85.

The match provides Arsenal with an immediate competitive focus, but Osimhen’s future remains one of the club’s most significant transfer issues. Arteta’s preference is clear, yet the striker’s wage expectations continue to represent the principal obstacle to turning that interest into an agreement.