Napoli Eye Arsenal Duo in Potential Victor Osimhen Swap Deal

Napoli is reportedly interested in signing Takehiro Tomiyasu or Emile Smith Rowe as part of Arsenal deal for Victor Osimhen, according to emerging reports from Italy.

The Nigerian international was widely anticipated to leave Napoli at the end of the season, with club president Aurelio de Laurentiis asserting in January that the striker was set for a summer move to either Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, or a Premier League team.

Osimhen also has an option to join the Saudi Pro League, but his preference is to stay in Europe

However, Corriere dello Sport reports that Napoli have not received any offers for Osimhen with the Serie A club keen to receive a fee in the region of his €130 million (£110.8m) release clause.

The report claims that The 25-year-old, who netted 15 goals in Serie A this season, is targeting a move to the Premier League and Arsenal have ‘recently resurfaced’ as one of the clubs who are interested in a deal.

It’s claimed that to offset the high cost of a bid for Osimhen, Napoli are interested in two players from Mikel Arteta’s squad – Smith Rowe and Tomiyasu – who they wanted in the January transfer window before the Japan international signed a new contract in March.

Smith Rowe, meanwhile, struggled for playing time under Arteta this season, starting just three games in the Premier League.

It’s understood that Arsenal would be willing to listen to offers for Smith Rowe this summer and Fulham have already made the 23-year-old one of their priority transfer targets.

Chelsea have also shown interest in Osimhen ahead of the summer window although it remains unclear how the club would finance a move which involves such high costs in transfer fee and wages.

‘I think there is genuine interest between both,’ former Chelsea midfielder, John Obi Mikel, said of Osimhen in February.

‘I think he loves the club, he wants to come to the club.’

Fulham eyeing summer move for Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe

Emile Smith Rowe made his debut for Arsenal back in 2018 after graduating from the Hale End academy. Eventually, he broke out as an emerging and exciting young talent for the Gunners. However, after enjoying a standout 2021/22 campaign, the Englishman was struck down by injuries.

These absences led to his eventual decrease in time on the pitch, and he’s merely played a bit-part role for the Gunners over the past two years. However, Smith Rowe still has something to offer. His capacity to manoeuvre through the defence despite his 6’2 stature is quite uncommon and a valuable quality to possess.

Along with his dribbling, his ability to combine with his team-mates and his ability off the ball – in terms of positioning and defending actions – make him a valuable asset to any side.

After securing another mid-table finish last season, Fulham are looking to strengthen their side and believe that Emile Smith Rowe is a player they must bring in to improve the quality of their side.

Emile Smith Rowe could leave Arsenal this summer (Image: GETTY)

Arsenal are keen on making additions of their own and must free up some of their wage budget to facilitate any arrivals. With players such as Mohamed Elneny and Cedric Soares having already been released, other key figures such as Thomas Partey and Eddie Nketiah are set to exit the club and Smith Rowe is now a part of that list.

There is no definitive figure or price tag that has been discussed for the player. Arteta has not expressed any desire in letting the player go and has praised him for his quality despite having not played the 23-year-old Englishman for majority of the season.

While the English midfielder has been good for the Gunners on many occasions, it doesn’t quite feel like there’s a place for him in the squad. With the likes of Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, Declan Rice, etc. consistently putting in brilliant performances, it doesn’t look like Smith Rowe can find a place in this squad. Mikel Arteta’s project is accelerating past him.

It could be in the best interest of both parties – the player and the club – to part ways in this transfer window. However, what will happen with the outgoings of Arsenal is something to see when the transfer window opens.