English football pundit Kieran Davies has cautioned Arsenal over the financial implications of signing Victor Osimhen from Galatasaray, citing the striker's substantial wage demands as a major hurdle. The Super Eagles forward currently earns an estimated £326,000 per week in Turkey, a figure that surpasses Arsenal's top earner Bukayo Saka, who takes home approximately £300,000 weekly.
Osimhen's Wage Demands a Key Concern
Davies, a digital journalist at The Sun, highlighted the financial challenge in a recent column, questioning what Arsenal would need to offer to lure Osimhen away from Galatasaray. "You have to wonder what Arsenal would have to offer Victor Osimhen to prize him away from Galatasaray. He is currently on £326k per week in Turkey and would no doubt want more from any potential suitors," Davies wrote.
The concern is amplified by the fact that Osimhen's current weekly wage is £26,000 higher than Saka's, who is widely reported as Arsenal's highest earner. Beyond his weekly salary, Osimhen's Galatasaray contract includes a guaranteed annual salary of €15 million, a net loyalty bonus of €1 million per season, and an additional €5 million per year in image rights.
Arsenal's Financial Constraints
Reports from Football365 suggest Arsenal are aware of the financial gap and that Osimhen would need to accept a significant pay cut for any deal to be completed before the September 1 transfer deadline. The club's interest in the Nigerian striker comes as they seek a marquee centre-forward to bolster their attacking options.
Arsenal launched their Premier League title defence with a dominant 3-0 victory over newly promoted Coventry City on the opening day of the 2026-27 season. Having won the championship last season, the club has focused on targeted, high-quality signings rather than volume in this transfer window.
Transfer Window Activity and Osimhen's Form
Bruno Guimaraes arrived from Newcastle United, while Christos Tzolis joined from Club Brugge, with the pair brought in to fill the gaps left by Christian Norgaard and Leandro Trossard. Arsenal are now reported to be pursuing a marquee centre-forward before the window shuts, with Osimhen and Atlético Madrid's Julián Alvarez among the names on their shortlist.
Osimhen's appeal to Arsenal is not difficult to understand. The former African Footballer of the Year has carried his lethal form into the new campaign with Galatasaray, contributing four goals and one assist across his first two Super Lig matches of the 2026-27 season.
Earlier, Legit.ng reported about Arsenal's ongoing negotiations to sign Osimhen, emphasising his current wage demands and potential pay cut. As Osimhen considers the opportunity to join one of England's top clubs, the question looms: will ambition outweigh financial stability in his career decisions?
