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September 14, 2024

Arsenal turned down chance to sign £100 million striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli – Paper Round.

Arsenal passed on the opportunity to sign Victor Osimhen this summer, citing concerns over the Nigerian international’s high transfer fee. Meanwhile, Chelsea will now look to reintegrate defender Ben Chilwell into their squad after his efforts to secure a new club during the summer transfer window fell through. Ivan Perisic, on the other hand, is rumored to be considering a move back to Serie A.

Arsenal declined the opportunity to sign Victor Osimhen. According to The Mirror, the club was offered the chance to bring in the 25-year-old striker but ultimately decided against it. Arsenal felt that Osimhen’s over £100 million price tag was too steep.

The paper writes: “Arsenal reportedly rejected the chance to sign Victor Osimhen this summer because they felt the Napoli striker was simply too expensive.

“Osimhen was heavily linked with a move away from Napoli this summer, with the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli all interested in the 25-year-old’s services.

“However, Osimhen failed to seal a permanent transfer and ended up joining Galatasaray on a season-long loan instead, with Napoli having already signed Romelu Lukaku from Chelsea as his replacement.

“It has now emerged that Arsenal were also offered Osimhen, but balked at the idea of paying his release clause. According to reports, it would have cost Arsenal more than £100million to sign Osimhen and they were ‘never prepared’ to pay that kind of fee.”

Ben Chilwell has been handed a second chance at Chelsea. Despite appearing set for an exit from Stamford Bridge this summer, The Express reports that the left-back now has a fresh opportunity with the club. Chilwell has been named in Chelsea’s Premier League squad, allowing him to feature on the pitch again.

The paper reports: “Chelsea have named Ben Chilwell in their Premier League squad despite the England defender being deemed surplus to requirements over the summer. He was one of several players frozen out by Enzo Maresca after he took over from Mauricio Pochettino.

“Chilwell was told that he would struggle for minutes at Chelsea this season, paving the way for him to leave the club in the summer. The Blues desperately tried to offload him before the deadline, with a permanent exit failing to materialise before a loan move to Turkey fell through.

“However, it seems Maresca has revised his stance on Chilwell after including him in Chelsea’s squad for their Premier League campaign. He was one of the 25 names on the list that was released on Friday, meaning there is a chance he could work his way back into the fold.”

Perisic linked with Monza

Ivan Perisic could be returning to Serie A, as The Sun reports that the former Tottenham star is being linked with a move to Monza. After departing Hajduk Split, the experienced player is currently a free agent, and Monza is actively searching for a left-sided defender to strengthen their squad.

The paper notes: “The 35-year-old is looking for a new club after being made a free agent by Croatian outfit Hajduk Split.

“He joined Hajduk last January on loan from Spurs, before ripping up his contract in north London to make the move permanent this summer.

“But after playing just four games as a permanent addition to his hometown club, he was cut loose following a fallout with new boss Gennaro Gattuso last month.

“Now he is searching for a new club after being left in limbo, and it looks like a return to Serie A could be on the cards.

“Monza’s boss Alessandro Nesta is said to be keen to bring in a new left-back with his side yet to win a league game this season.”