Gabriel Jesus' agent has insisted that he was not at Napoli's training ground on Friday to discuss a potential transfer for the Arsenal striker. Jesus has entered the final year of his contract with Arsenal and, having fallen down the pecking order after injuries, could be let go this summer.
Arsenal's Striker Situation
The Gunners have Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz as their first-choice strikers and are in the market for another attacker, with Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez on the wish list after Vinicius Junior decided to stay with Real Madrid.
Mikel Arteta is understood to have green lighted an exit for Jesus, who only made 14 Premier League appearances last season, as well as Gabriel Martinelli. The 29-year-old has been with Arsenal for four years and the club are keen to cash in, rather than lose him for nothing next year.
Napoli's Interest and Agent's Response
Napoli are interested in signing Jesus, with Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Lucca potentially heading for the exit. Arsenal want a permanent transfer worth €20million (£17m), while the Italian giants are keen to negotiate that fee downwards.
Jesus' agent Giovanni Branchini was spotted at Napoli's training ground in Castel di Sangro on Friday, heightening speculation that a deal could be close. But Branchini has insisted that he was visiting the club to see another of his clients, Napoli boss Massimiliano Allegri.
“Allegri and I have been in touch, I came here today to come and visit him,” Branchini told Videoinformazioni.com. “He’s working hard and he’s happy with everything. He’s always had a good opinion of this team and is satisfied with the work that is being done.”
Quizzed on Jesus, Branchini said: “I haven’t spoken to Allegri about him.” And asked if Lukaku and Lucca would have to be sold for Jesus to join, he added: “In my line of work, the ‘ifs’ count for very little, not as much as they matter for you journalists. From my point of view, it’s better to not talk about speculation.”
Napoli's Attack Plans
Allegri will build his attack around Rasmus Hojlund in the 2026/27 season after the Danish striker completed a permanent £38m move from Manchester United following a successful loan spell. But there is room for another forward, with Lukaku poised to move on and Lucca facing an uncertain future too.
Arsenal's Summer Sales
Arsenal have so far only managed to move on Leandro Trossard (£17m to Besiktas), Jakub Kiwior (£14.7m to Porto), Karl Hein (£2.5m to Werder Bremen) and Christian Norgaard (£7m to Everton) this summer. Arteta knows that shifting other fringe players will be key if they are to land a world-class attacker and a centre-back to provide cover for the injured William Saliba.
Jesus has struggled for consistency at Arsenal, with injuries hampering the Brazilian. He has failed to live up to his £45m fee from Manchester City in 2022 and has seen his chances of game time dramatically reduced by the arrival of Gyokeres last summer.
