Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has held direct talks with Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek as the Premier League leaders intensify their pursuit of Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen ahead of the summer transfer window.
The meeting took place on Sunday night and was confirmed by prominent Turkish journalist Serkan Korkmaz, who stated unequivocally that the Nigerian forward was the subject of the discussions. “Arsenal’s target is Osimhen. The Arsenal sporting director and Ozbek met last night. Any other claims about what was discussed in their private meeting are not true,” Korkmaz posted on X
Berta was also in attendance for the recent Intercontinental Derby between Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, where Spanish outlet AS reports that preliminary talks were held with intermediaries to discuss the feasibility of a transfer . The timing is significant. Arsenal currently sit at the top of the Premier League and have progressed to the Champions League semi-finals, but questions about their attacking efficiency have persisted throughout the campaign.
Striker Viktor Gyokeres, who joined from Sporting Lisbon last summer, has struggled to consistently deliver at the Emirates Stadium, prompting suggestions that manager Mikel Arteta wants a more established and prolific goal scorer to lead the line.
Osimhen fits that profile with authority. The 27-year-old has been outstanding since completing a permanent €75 million move to Galatasaray from Napoli last summer . His overall record for the Turkish club stands at 54 goals in 66 appearances . His latest statement performance came in Sunday’s derby, where he scored the opening goal in a commanding 3-0 victory.
However, prying Osimhen away from Istanbul will not be straightforward. Galatasaray president Ozbek has repeatedly stressed that there is no release clause in the striker’s contract, which runs until June 2029 . “There is no release clause in Osimhen’s contract. He is an extremely successful footballer who will serve Galatasaray for many years,” Ozbek told Fanatik in March .
Any deal would require direct club-to-club negotiation, and Galatasaray are expected to demand a premium fee for their most prolific asset. Reports suggest the Turkish champions are looking for a sum in the region of £100 million . Osimhen’s personal terms would also represent a significant investment, with the striker currently earning a reported €21 million per year in Istanbul .
Arsenal are not alone in their admiration. Scouts from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus were also reported to have attended the derby . But Berta’s face-to-face meeting with Ozbek signals a seriousness of intent that separates the North London club from the chasing pack.
A move to the Premier League for Osimhen has been a long-stated ambition. His time at Galatasaray has been a resounding success, restoring his reputation and market value after a difficult final period at Napoli. The Turkish champions dream of building a Champions League project around him, but the allure of a return to one of Europe’s top five leagues remains strong.
The discussions are at an early stage, but the direction of travel is clear. Arsenal want Osimhen, and they have now made that desire known at the very top of the Turkish club. With the summer window approaching and the striker’s stock at an all-time high, this is a story that will only gather momentum in the weeks ahead.
