Arsenal’s sporting director spies on $80-million-rated striker | Gyökeres replacement?

Victor Osimhen remains firmly on the radar of Europe’s biggest clubs, and Arsenal have now made their presence felt through Andrea Berta. The club’s current sporting director, formerly of Atlético Madrid, traveled to Istanbul to attend one of the fiercest derbies in football between Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe, scouting on behalf of the North London side.

Osimhen high on Arsenal list

From the stands at Ali Sami Yen Rams Park, the Italian focused closely on three Galatasaray players. His top priority was to watch Osimhen in person. Arsenal signed Viktor Gyökeres last summer for around $81 million (€75 million) from Sporting Lisbon after protracted negotiations, but despite the Swede’s arrival, the Nigerian striker remains a major option for the club in the upcoming summer window. Berta also gathered first-hand information from Galatasaray’s hierarchy regarding the forward’s potential departure.

The other two names on Berta’s shortlist are Barış Alper Yılmaz and Uğurcan Çakır. Both are key figures under Okan Buruk and regulars for Turkey’s national team coached by Vincenzo Montella.

Yılmaz stands out for his versatility. He can operate on either wing or through the middle as a center forward, and last season he even played an important role defensively at right back. At 25, he has emerged as one of the Turkish Süper Lig’s leading scorers, underlining his growing influence.

Çakır, meanwhile, has seen his market value surge during this campaign. The 30-year-old goalkeeper joined Galatasaray from fierce rivals Trabzonspor last summer for roughly $33 million (€30.5 million), a record fee in Turkish football history.

Record-breaking goalkeeper drawing Bayern’s attention

There is little doubt that the goalkeeper is high on Berta’s agenda. Çakır has made 40 saves in clear scoring situations across 12 Champions League games, placing him among the top three goalkeepers for interventions in Europe’s premier competition.

He also produced 18 saves across both legs against Liverpool in the round of 16, including a penalty stop against Mohamed Salah. In one match, he recorded 11 saves – the highest tally by a goalkeeper in a single Champions League game over the past decade. Performances like these have elevated him into one of Europe’s most sought-after shot-stoppers.

Bayern Munich are also preparing a significant offer to Galatasaray as they look for a successor to veteran Manuel Neuer, who is nearing 40. Juventus and Inter Milan are likewise monitoring the Turkish international, according to sources close to the player.

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