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Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta has fueled fresh speculation over a possible move for Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen after he was reportedly spotted at a Galatasaray match amid growing transfer talks.

Osimhen, who has continued his impressive scoring form in Turkey, remains one of the most sought-after forwards in Europe, with several top clubs monitoring his performances closely ahead of the next transfer window.

Reports suggest Arsenal are seriously considering strengthening their attacking options despite maintaining strong campaigns both domestically and in Europe. The North London club is believed to be searching for a more clinical finisher to improve consistency in front of goal.

According to reports from Turkey, Berta travelled to meet with Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek, a development that immediately triggered speculation surrounding Osimhen’s future.

Turkish journalist Serkan Korkmaz added further weight to the rumours with a post on 𝕏, where he claimed that Arsenal’s main focus during the visit was the Nigerian international.

“Arsenal’s target is Osimhen! The Arsenal sporting director and Özbek met last night [Sunday]. Any other claims about what was discussed in their private meeting are not true,” Korkmaz wrote.

The reports are likely to excite Arsenal fans, especially as questions continue to surround the club’s finishing ability this season. Although the team has remained competitive, some supporters believe the squad still lacks a consistent elite striker capable of delivering in crucial moments.

Summer signing Viktor Gyökeres, who arrived from Sporting Lisbon with high expectations, has struggled to maintain regular goal-scoring form at the Emirates, increasing calls for Arsenal to pursue a proven goal machine like Osimhen.

The Super Eagles star further strengthened his reputation with another outstanding performance in Galatasaray’s 3-0 victory over fierce rivals Fenerbahçe in the famous Intercontinental Derby.

The high-profile clash reportedly attracted scouts from several European giants, including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Juventus, all believed to be monitoring Osimhen’s situation.

Osimhen opened the scoring just before half-time, reacting quickest inside the box to put Galatasaray ahead and help his side strengthen their position at the top of the Turkish Super Lig table.

The Nigerian striker has now recorded 13 goals and four assists in 20 league appearances this season, continuing the remarkable form that saw him score 37 goals in 41 matches last campaign.

With Europe’s biggest clubs circling and Arsenal showing strong interest, Osimhen’s future is expected to remain one of the major talking points of the upcoming transfer window.

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European champions Arsenal capitalised on two terrible defensive blunders by Lyon on Sunday to come from behind and win the first leg of their Women’s Champions League semi-final 2-1.

The French league leaders went ahead in the 18th minute at the Emirates Stadium when Jule Brand scored with the visitors’ only shot on target in the first half.

But the Gunners rallied after the break and levelled courtesy of an own goal from Ingrid Engen after goalkeeper Christiane Endler failed to gather the ball. They took the lead when Olivia Smith took advantage of another mix-up at the back late in the game.

The two sides met at the same stage of the competition last season, with Arsenal winning 5-3 on aggregate before going on to lift the trophy with victory over Barcelona in the final.

Lyon drew first blood on Sunday when Brand surged forward and cut inside before beating Arsenal goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar with a confident finish.

The home side thought they had been offered a way back into the game when they were awarded a penalty five minutes into the second half, but the decision was overturned after a VAR check.

However, Arsenal were level in the 58th minute when Mariona Caldentey’s low free-kick somehow made its way into the net.

Lyon’s Endler mishandled the ball as Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius darted into the six-yard box, and the unfortunate Engen touched it into her own goal.

Kadidiatou Diani rattled the crossbar as the French team threatened to retake the lead, but it was Arsenal who scored again.

Endler and Engen collided after a moment of miscommunication, and Smith collected the loose ball to slot into an empty net in the 83rd minute. Arsenal boss Renee Slegers warned her team still had work to do.

“It’s only half-time, but if you look at the game, a lot of bits played out how we wanted it,” she told the BBC.

“There was a phase in the first half where we wanted more aggression in our press, and I think we had some great solutions at half-time.”

Lyon forward Ada Hegerberg described the goals her team conceded as “brutal”.

“You know in sports you get punished, but we stick together,” she said. “We have to accept it but find ways to move on.

“It’s important to take a step back and keep perspective.”

The second leg takes place in Lyon next weekend. Bayern and Barcelona drew 1-1 in the other semi-final on Saturday.

AFP

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Nico Gonzalez’s stunning strike fired Manchester City into the FA Cup final as Pep Guardiola’s men produced a late fightback to beat Southampton 2-1 on Saturday.

The Saints appeared heading towards a first FA Cup final since 2003 when Finn Azaz’s brilliant finish put the Championship side in front 11 minutes from time.

However, City avoided the same fate that Arsenal suffered in the quarter-finals to remain on course for a domestic treble.

Jeremy Doku’s deflected effort quickly levelled before Gonzalez rifled in from long range three minutes from time.

The defeat ends Southampton’s 20-game unbeaten run that has propelled them into contention for an immediate return to the Premier League.

The Saints also knocked out City’s title rivals Arsenal in the previous round and will rue a glorious chance missed to return to Wembley next month.

Guardiola made eight changes from the side that went top of the Premier League with a 1-0 victory over Burnley on Wednesday.

Erling Haaland, Bernardo Silva and Doku were among those to miss out and City took 45 minutes to find their feet.

Leo Scienza found the bottom corner early on, but Southampton’s joy was cut short by the offside flag.

City came out for the second half a changed team even before Guardiola turned to his bench to unleash the stars he had kept in reserve.

Omar Marmoush missed his chance to shine on a rare start ahead of Haaland.

The Egyptian spooned the best of City’s chances over the bar before he was replaced by Haaland.

Guardiola also introduced Doku, Savinho and Nico O’Reilly to break down Southampton’s mass ranks of well-marshalled defence.

Daniel Peretz repelled Gonzalez’s powerful effort before Southampton pounced to take a shock lead on a rare second-half foray forward.

Kuryu Matsuki fed Azaz, who spun before unleashing an unstoppable effort into the top corner.

However, Southampton could not hold on as City roared back to become the first club to reach four consecutive FA Cup finals.

Doku’s effort from the edge of the box deflected off James Bree to wrong-foot Peretz.

The Southampton goalkeeper was then left helpless as Gonzalez’s piledriver completed the comeback.

Savinho should have added a third in stoppage time after Peretz came forward in search of an equaliser and left his goal gaping, but Matsuki raced back to clear off the line.

City, though, did just enough to remain on course to match their own achievement of being the only English side to win the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup, in 2018/19.

AFP