Arsenal see €30m Gyokeres swap offer for Victor Osimhen rejected by Galatasaray

Arsenal’s attempt to sign Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen has reportedly been rebuffed after the Premier League club proposed Viktor Gyokeres plus €30m for the Nigeria international.

According to Turkish journalist Omer Faruk Ozcan, via Nexus Sports, senior Arsenal officials travelled to Istanbul to try to persuade the Turkish champions to sell their leading forward. Rather than submit a straight cash offer, Arsenal put forward a player-plus-money deal that would have sent Gyokeres to Galatasaray along with an additional €30m.

The proposal was intended to see Gyokeres replace Osimhen in Galatasaray’s attack. However, the Turkish club refused to consider the offer, with its valuation of the Nigerian reported to be between €130m and €150m.

Galatasaray regard Osimhen as one of the most valuable players in world football, a view strengthened by his performances since he joined the club from Napoli. The striker, who is also reportedly a target for Tottenham and has been linked with Barcelona, has scored 59 goals and supplied 16 assists in 74 appearances for Galatasaray in all competitions.

That contribution has helped the club win consecutive Turkish Super Lig titles and become regular challengers in European football. Osimhen has also established himself as a major fan favourite in Istanbul, where his energy, leadership and goals have made him the public face of Galatasaray’s ambitious sporting project under coach Okan Buruk.

Arsenal’s interest in Osimhen predates the latest approach. Sporting director Andrea Berta has previously visited Istanbul to assess the forward and discuss the possibility of a transfer.

The renewed effort comes amid questions about Gyokeres’ adaptation after his expensive move from Sporting CP in 2025. Although the Swedish striker has demonstrated his quality in spells, Arsenal are understood to be seeking a more clinical centre-forward to lead their attack in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.

Galatasaray’s stance is reinforced by the terms of Osimhen’s contract and the financial commitment made to secure his services. The club recently resolved a major financial issue relating to the striker before he signed a permanent four-year agreement in July 2025. That contract runs until June 2029.

The deal is reportedly the most valuable financial package ever given to a player in Turkish football. Osimhen is said to earn about €21m net per season through a combination of salary, loyalty bonuses and image-rights payments.

Galatasaray paid Napoli €75m to complete the transfer, while the Italian club retained a 10% sell-on clause covering any future profit. A separate agreement also prevents Galatasaray from selling Osimhen to an Italian club before 2027 without incurring a significant financial penalty.

Despite ongoing speculation about his future, Osimhen has not indicated that he is trying to force a move away. He recently held positive talks with Buruk and Galatasaray executives before returning for pre-season training.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also reported that the situation surrounding the striker remains under control. Osimhen has made no secret of his long-term ambition to play in the Premier League, but he is understood to be content in Istanbul and prepared to continue leading Galatasaray unless an English club makes an exceptional sporting and financial offer.