Arsenal striker hunt hots up as talks with Serie A star begin and Richarlison ‘sounded out’

Arsenal’s search for a striker is continuing in the immediate aftermath of an ultimately disappointing season.

The Gunners finished 5th, despite being four points clear of rivals Tottenham with three games to go in the season, with the unshakeable feeling of missed opportunity clouding an otherwise solid season.

There are clear areas that the side needs strengthening this summer, chief among them the centre-forward position. Both Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are out of contract this summer, and seem unlikely to continue their spells in north London.

This will leave the Gunners without a recognised centre-forward in the senior side, and it is a situation that they are looking to rectify immediately.

Gabriel Jesus is one target, though Mikel Arteta and co. were reportedly somewhat put off by the £55m price tag slapped on him by Manchester City.

Alternatively, the reliable Charles Watts reveals that Napoli striker Victor Osimhen is ‘high up on Arsenal’s target list this summer’, with his agent having already flown in for talks with the north London club.

Victor Osimhen’s agent flew in for talks with Arsenal last week. The Nigerian striker is high up on Arsenal’s target list this summer.

Latest on Arsenal’s striker hunt here 👇https://t.co/YsFTANtXx2

— Charles Watts (@charles_watts) May 24, 2022

Osimhen, who joined Napoli for a hefty £638 in 2020, has impressed in Italy. Last season, he netted 14 times in 27 appearances, and he is a player that Arsenal admire.

However, a deal could be tricky. Goal.com report that ‘Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis is known as an extremely tough negotiator and would want to receive far more than the £68 million ($85m) transfer fee that he paid Lille to sign the 23-year-old in 2020’.

Richarlison another option

Meanwhile, Richarlison is thought to be another option that the Gunners are keeping tabs on. The same report claims that ‘Arsenal are keeping an eye on Everton forward Richarlison’s situation and have sounded out his representatives in recent weeks.’

Arsenal striker hunt hots up as talks with Serie A star begin and Richarlison ‘sounded out’

Richarlison of Everton celebrates after scoring a goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on May 19, 2022 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)

Everton are widely expected to have to part way with either the Brazilian or Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer, perhaps even both, due to financial issues. Arsenal are seemingly positioning themselves in case a deal becomes viable at a sensible price, even as they target alternative options.