Napoli still pursuing Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus but need departures first
Quick summary
Napoli remain interested in signing Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus but must offload players before making a move.
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Attributed to original sourceNapoli remain interested in Gabriel Jesus and are working to satisfy Massimiliano Allegri, who has asked the club to sign the Brazilian.
According to Calciomercato.it , the forward is not considered a starter at Arsenal and could move to complete the attacking options at Allegri’s disposal before the window shuts.
GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Massimiliano Allegri, Head Coach of Napoli before the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) Napoli need sales before signing Gabriel Jesus The obstacle is on the outgoing side. Napoli need to move players on before they can finance the deal for Gabriel Jesus, with Noa Lang and Lorenzo Lucca the two most likely to depart.
Bologna are interested in Lang as they look to replace seemingly Atalanta-bound Jonathan Rowe, while Lucca has drawn attention from a spread of Serie A clubs including Torino, Sassuolo, Fiorentina and Genoa.
Allegri’s interest in another centre-forward is notable given his public assessment of the striker he already has.
Speaking to Sky Sport Italia , the coach compared Rasmus Hojlund to Harry Kane but said the Dane still has significant room for improvement, particularly in his finishing.
GENOA, ITALY – AUGUST 22: Kevin De Bruyne of Napoli looks on during the Serie A match between Genoa CFC and SSC Napoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on August 22, 2026 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) Napoli opened their centenary season with a contentious 2-0 win at Genoa, De Bruyne and Vergara scoring.
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What happened
Napoli are continuing their pursuit of Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, but any deal hinges on the Italian side first trimming their squad through departures. The forward has been a long-term target for the Serie A side, though Arsenal's valuation and competition for places could complicate negotiations. Until Napoli create room financially and in the squad, the transfer is unlikely to progress.
Chance analysis
Napoli's interest in Gabriel Jesus is not new, but the conditional nature of the pursuit — tied to outgoing transfers — speaks to the club's broader squad reshuffling. For Arsenal, Jesus remains a useful but not indispensable forward, and a sale would provide funds and free a non-league spot in Mikel Arteta's attacking pecking order. Whether this becomes a concrete move depends entirely on who Napoli can move out the door first.
Arsenal may lose squad depth in attack if Napoli finalize departures and act on Jesus, while Napoli's forward line remains unsettled until the situation resolves.