Osimhen to Arsenal: Ex-Liverpool GK explains why Nigeria star’s EPL move broke down

Victor Osimhen. Copyright: xBurakxBasturkxIMAGO

Victor Osimhen has the profile to succeed in the Premier League, but his financial demands helped stop a move to Arsenal, according to former Liverpool and Tottenham goalkeeper Brad Friedel, Soccernet.ng reports.

The Nigeria striker was linked with Arsenal after a prolific spell at Galatasaray, where he helped the Turkish club secure back-to-back Super Lig titles.

The former Napoli striker was linked to a return to Serie A with Juventus interested while Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona were among his admirers in Spain. But Arsenal and Chelsea are the two Premier League clubs to have come the closest to signing Osimhen.

Friedel, who also played for Besiktas in Turkey, believes Osimhen would suit almost any Premier League system.

“He has the perfect profile for the Premier League, he’s big, strong, great in the air, and can play in a high-pressing team, a low block, or a possession-based side. His movement in the box and finishing ability are proven and deadly,” Friedel said, as per Livescore.

The problem, Friedel says, was not Osimhen’s ability. It was the cost of putting his entire package together.

Galatasaray paid Napoli €75 million for the striker in July 2025 and gave him a four-year contract. The agreement guarantees Osimhen €15 million net per season, plus a €1 million loyalty bonus and €5 million annually from image rights.

Arsenal were unwilling to match those financial terms.

“The difficulty with a deal like that often comes down to financial structures and wage expectations, especially with PSR rules in the Premier League making massive net packages difficult to accommodate alongside other transfer business,” Friedel noted.

The Premier League has since replaced Profitability and Sustainability Rules with the Squad Cost Ratio for the 2026/27 season. The new system limits clubs to spending 85 per cent of their football revenue and net profit from player sales on squad costs.

That financial framework made a huge Osimhen package harder for Arsenal to absorb alongside other transfer spending.

Soccer Osimhen’s Galatasaray deal made Arsenal’s task harder

Friedel’s experience in Turkey gave him a close view of the financial demands surrounding Osimhen.

“Having been at Besiktas, I know the overall package offered to him was enormous, which makes it complicated for Premier League clubs trying to manage financial compliance,” he said.

Arsenal reportedly wanted Osimhen to reduce his salary before committing to the deal. The striker did not agree, and the London club turned its attention elsewhere.

Friedel believes that financial barrier may have ended interest from several Premier League clubs before formal negotiations began.

“In Turkey, contract structure and image rights negotiations can cause delays. Many Premier League clubs likely inquired, but most probably didn’t get past the first phone call when they found out how much.”

Despite a failed dream move to the Premier League, Osimhen remains happy in Istanbul. The Super Eagles striker has already registered six goals and two assists in only four league games for Galatasaray.

Imhonlamhen

Imhonlamhen is a football writer and editor at Soccernet.ng with over six years’ experience shaping its editorial voice. A lifelong Arsenal and Super Eagles fan, he combines engineering precision with training in journalism and digital media. He has covered four AFCONs and two Women’s AFCON tournaments, specialising in Super Eagles history and tracking Nigerian players worldwide, while keeping a close eye on the NPFL and emerging homegrown talents.