Arsenal have intensified their pursuit of Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen after sporting director Andrea Berta was spotted in Istanbul during Galatasaray’s fiery derby clash against Fenerbahce.
Berta attended the highly anticipated Intercontinental Derby on Sunday night, where Galatasaray delivered a commanding 3-0 victory over their bitter rivals.
The Arsenal chief’s presence has further fueled speculation that the Premier League giants are preparing a serious move for Osimhen ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to reports from Turkey, Berta held private discussions with Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek shortly after the match.
While details of the meeting remain undisclosed, respected Turkish journalist Serkan Korkmaz insisted Arsenal’s interest in the Super Eagles star is genuine and advancing quickly.
“Arsenal’s target is Osimhen,” Korkmaz stated.
“The Arsenal sporting director and Özbek met last night. Any other claims about what was discussed in their private meeting are not true.”
Osimhen once again justified the growing attention surrounding him by getting on the scoresheet against Fenerbahce.
The 27-year-old continues to prove why he is regarded as one of Europe’s most dangerous forwards despite dealing with injuries and international commitments earlier in the season.
The Nigerian striker has recorded 13 goals and four assists in just 20 Super Lig appearances this campaign.
His numbers become even more impressive when considering his remarkable form last season, where he netted 37 goals in 41 matches across all competitions.
Arsenal’s growing interest comes amid concerns over their attacking efficiency. Despite remaining competitive in both the Premier League and Champions League, the Gunners are still searching for a clinical striker capable of consistently delivering in decisive moments.
Summer signing Viktor Gyökeres has struggled to meet expectations since arriving from Sporting Lisbon, prompting Arsenal to explore alternative options in the market.
Osimhen’s proven goal-scoring pedigree and physical presence are believed to make him one of the club’s top priorities.
Several elite European clubs are monitoring the Nigerian international, but Arsenal’s decision to send Berta to Turkey personally could signal a major statement of intent in the race for his signature.
