Arsenal's Transfer Window: Osimhen Talks, Alvarez Saga, and the Yildiz Stance

Arsenal began their Premier League title defence in emphatic fashion, beating newly promoted Coventry City 3-0 at the Emirates on August 21, with goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. The win followed a dominant Community Shield victory over Manchester City the previous week. Despite a strong start, manager Mikel Arteta is still looking to add another high-quality attacker before the transfer window closes at 11pm BST on September 1, according to reports from Sports Mole and others.

Osimhen: Wage Demands a Key Hurdle

Arsenal are in talks to sign Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen, according to Foot Mercato, as reported by Sports Mole and GiveMeSport. The Nigeria international, who joined Galatasaray on loan from Napoli in summer 2024 before making the move permanent, has scored 63 goals in 76 appearances for the Turkish club. However, his substantial wages are seen as a significant obstacle. Arsenal are reported to be unwilling to break their wage structure and would expect Osimhen to accept a pay cut.

GiveMeSport, citing Metro Sport, reported that Arsenal have asked Osimhen to lower his wage demands. Osimhen is one of the best-paid footballers in Europe, and the decision on whether to join Arsenal is described as important for the striker. The next few days could be decisive in the negotiations.

Alvarez: Increasingly Open or Personal Refusal?

There are conflicting reports regarding Julian Alvarez. Sports Mole's live blog reported that Alvarez's personal refusal to join Arsenal was a decisive blow in the club's long pursuit, with Atletico Madrid reported to have agreed in principle to let him leave, and Arteta understood to have spoken directly with the Argentina international. Alvarez reportedly indicated he wishes to remain in Spain, potentially with Barcelona.

However, Yardbarker, citing Spanish outlet AS as translated by the Evening Standard, reported that Alvarez is now increasingly open to joining Arsenal after talks with Arteta. The report says Alvarez is desperate to leave Atletico Madrid, and Atletico won't sell him to a La Liga rival like Barcelona. This conflicting information means the Alvarez saga remains uncertain. If Alvarez were to join, Viktor Gyokeres could face an uncertain future, with the Sweden international an unused substitute in the opening fixture as Kai Havertz has been preferred.

Yildiz Staying at Juventus

Arsenal's interest in Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz appears to have been rebuffed. Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti confirmed that Yildiz will stay, calling the 21-year-old a potential future football "phenomenon." Spalletti said, "I am perfectly relaxed, because dealing with Yildiz is easy for me. They can offer whatever they like, I want Yildiz here and will always put him on the field. His future is already important staying at Juventus, not because there are other clubs who want to spend €100m for him."

Yildiz, a long-term Arsenal target, signed a new four-year contract extension in February that runs until 2030. He has scored 27 goals and provided 21 assists in 131 appearances for Juventus since arriving from Bayern Munich's youth academy in 2022. The German-born Turkish international has scored five goals in 31 senior caps and played at this summer's World Cup.

Jesus's Future Uncertain

Should Arsenal sign a new forward, Gabriel Jesus could find his future under scrutiny. Jesus has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, and both Everton and Ipswich Town have been linked with the Brazilian. Sports Mole suggested that Arsenal would be taking a risk if they let Jesus leave without covering their attacking depth.

Other Players Under Pressure

Sports Mole also identified several other Premier League players under pressure heading into the new season. Dominic Solanke, who joined Tottenham in August 2024 for a club-record £65m, contributed to 24 goals in 45 appearances in his first season but then suffered fitness problems, featuring only 20 times in 2025-26. Omar Marmoush is reportedly closing in on a move to Tottenham.

Alejandro Garnacho's fallout with Ruben Amorim led to a £40m move to Chelsea in August 2025, and he was then loaned to Aston Villa with a conditional obligation to buy worth £42.5m. He scored once in the Premier League in 2025-26. Mykhailo Mudryk, who joined Chelsea in January 2023 for a fee of £62m-£89m, scored 10 goals in 73 appearances, but tested positive for a banned substance in December 2024 before being cleared in July 2026.

Viktor Gyokeres, who joined Arsenal from Sporting CP last summer for an initial £55m rising to £63.7m, scored 21 goals in 55 appearances in his first season, but Havertz has been preferred in the Community Shield and the opening-day win. Marcus Rashford returned to Manchester United after 18 months away, having scored 14 goals and provided 15 assists for Barcelona, who did not trigger their £26m option to buy him. Phil Foden, once crowned PFA, FWA and Premier League Player of the Season, was left out of the World Cup squad, with Enzo Maresca replacing Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Florian Wirtz, who moved to Liverpool for £116.5m in summer 2025, scored five goals and four assists in his first Premier League season, with Arne Slot leaving and Andoni Iraola arriving from Bournemouth.