Arsenal told to fork out transfer fee ‘close to Pepe’s £72m for Osimhen’
Lille of France have been demanding for a fee close to the £72million Arsenal spent on Nicolas Pepe for new Gunners target Victor Osimhen.
The French club have also confirmed bids for the 21-year-old striker, who has scored 18 goals in Ligue 1 this season.
And Arsenal may have to move quickly if they want to add Osimhen to their star-studded attack this summer.
The Nigeria international has enjoyed a stellar season in France after arriving last year from Belgian side Sporting Charleroi for £10m as a replacement for Emirates-bound Pepe.
Arsenal are now looking to bring Osimhen to North London as well despite spending a club-record £72m on Pepe.
But they will have to fork out a similar fee if they want to sign the talented youngster.
And Lille confirmed there are other teams in the mix for his coveted signature.
“We turned down one English and one Spanish offer this January transfer window.
“There is a wide array [this summer] and I wouldn’t want to give the names of the clubs who are bidding.
“But what I can tell you is there are multiple [offers].
“There are three championships that have clubs that have bid for him.
“I am not being a sales guy because last year people didn’t believe that we had the offers we had with Pepe, and it turns out we had multiple of them.
“Let me tell you with Osimhen, it is the same thing, whatever number you heard.
“The high number I have read is very much on the money of the offers that we have received. That’s where we are.”
Meanwhile, Arsenal could be set to hand David Luiz a contract reprieve after it emerged they were yet to take up the option of extending his deal past the end of the month.
Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has been offered a new contract with his current deal expiring next year.
read also:Moses Simon: Liverpool target Osimhen destined for big club
But there have been no talks with potential Chelsea free agent Willian, who plans on completing the rest of the season at Stamford Bridge.
Arsenal’s interest in Philippe Coutinho is also close to ending after it emerged Barcelona want a £9m loan fee for the Brazilian flop… as well as a clause to make the move permanent for £71m in 2021.