Premier League icon Gary Lineker has urged Arsenal to reconsider their pursuit of Victor Osimhen and instead turn their attention to Liam Delap, as the club seeks a solution to its striker dilemma, Goal reports via The Rest is Football Podcast.
Lineker Favors Delap Over Osimhen
Speaking on the podcast, Alan Shearer suggested that Osimhen, currently on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli, would be an ideal signing for Arsenal. However, Lineker disagreed, advocating for Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap as a more suitable and cost-effective alternative.
Shearer pointed out Arsenal’s urgent need for a top-class center-forward, emphasizing that Osimhen would guarantee goals for the Gunners. However, he acknowledged the financial challenges of signing the Nigerian international.
“Victor Osimhen is there, isn’t he? He would, without a doubt, score goals for them. The problem they’ve got now is the whole world knows they need a forward. So, a player who might have cost €70-82 million is now going to be worth €117-129 million when Arsenal come in. They needed a top-class center-forward before a ball was kicked this season, and my opinion hasn’t changed.”
Lineker, however, had a different view, saying:
“If I were them, I’d go for Delap at Ipswich. I know he’s young and not entirely proven, but he’s scored quite a lot of goals in the Premier League this season for a team that’s obviously struggled having been promoted. I like him and his movement. There’s talk of him going back to Man City, but [Erling] Haaland has signed a nine-year deal, so you might have to wait an awfully long time to get a game.”
Osimhen’s Price Tag May Block the Deal
Arsenal are currently without both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for the remainder of the season due to injury, increasing the pressure to secure a new forward. Osimhen has been prolific in Serie A, shining for Napoli before moving to Galatasaray on loan, where he has already netted 20 goals in 25 games this season. However, his price tag—reportedly exceeding €117 million—could be a major stumbling block.
Related article: The Most Expensive Striker: Salary and Market Value Profile of Victor Osimhen
On the other hand, Delap has impressed with Ipswich Town, scoring 10 Premier League goals this season despite playing for a side battling relegation. Arsenal’s decision will likely depend on whether they opt for a proven world-class striker like Osimhen or gamble on Delap’s potential.
