Victor Osimhen to Chelsea transfer twist as Arsenal swoop in

Arsenal have reportedly overtaken bitter rivals Chelsea in the race to sign Victor Osimhen in the midst of this summer's longest transfer saga.

The two clubs have been closely linked with the Nigeria international for a number of months now and have seemingly been in a three-horse race with Paris Saint-Germain for his signature. There have been times where the Gunners have looked completely out of the race, with the Blues trying to utilise out-of-favour striker Romelu Lukaku in order to help achieve an agreement between them and Napoli but the two deals have become separate.

Instead, the Belgian striker is already on his way to Italy after both parties came to an agreement, with Chelsea yet to make any more significant ground in their attempts to sign the 25-year-old. The Blues have been crying out for a consistent goalscorer and are hoping to see their prayers answered in the form of the 25-year-old who was a key part of Napoli's Serie A title-winning campaign in 2023 after he netted 26 goals in 32 league appearances.

However, Mikel Arteta's men aren't laying down without a fight. Reports earlier this week suggested that they could be going back in for Osimhen in a surprising late move amid continued questions about Arteta's side and their ability to win trophies without a traditional centre-forward.

While rumours surrounding potential moves for Viktor Gyokeres and Ivan Toney have lasted throughout the summer, Osimhen has always been quietly linked and now could make a stunning move to north London according to reports in Italy.

READ MORE: Arsenal and Chelsea shown importance of next transfer decision ahead of Victor Osimhen deal

READ MORE: Desperate Antonio Conte bids £25m for unwanted Chelsea star in ideal Enzo Maresca outcome

Outlet Repubblica has now claimed that the race for Osimhen will go down to the wire on the final day of the transfer window in a 'photo finish' and that Napoli's idea is to 'find him a place in the Premier League' with Arsenal being more preferred than Chelsea.

The report goes on to say that the two parties have 'no time to waste' in their attempts to get the player to sign with them, and that whilst the Lukaku deal is done, Osimhen's negotiations are 'still to be fully resolved'. It's the latest major development in what has already been an exhausting saga for all teams involved but as it stands, it seems as though Arsenal have drawn ahead in the race to put pen to paper.