Napoli have a genuine desire to sign Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, according to Corriere dello Sport (page 10).
The Serie A outfit are eager to land a marquee centre-forward this summer and have earmarked Jesus as a top target. Their interest is ‘intense’ and ‘strong’.
The Brazilian is seen as a player who could play in a front two with Rasmus Hojlund or even on his own.
However, a transfer would depend on Romelu Lukaku as well as Lorenzo Lucca (or) Noa Lang heading for the exit door.
Jesus’ agent, Giovanni Branchini, who also represents Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri, was in Abruzzo yesterday.
He visited Napoli’s training camp in Castel di Sangro. Jesus’ future was a likely topic of discussion.
Jesus could leave Arsenal before the transfer deadline
Napoli are exploring the possibility of parting ways with Lukaku alongside another forward.
Lucca and Lang earn £60,000 and £76,000 per week respectively. Ajax are monitoring the latter and could sign him if Mika Godts leaves for Paris Saint-Germain.
Lukaku’s situation is much trickier. The Belgian star earns £126,000 per week. Major League Soccer side Atlanta United are one of the clubs exploring a deal.
Despite him being 33, Napoli want £8.6m for a sale, with Chelsea owed 40 percent of any future fee. Hence, it could take a while before the Belgian finds a suitor.
Arsenal and Jesus may have to play the waiting game to find out whether a deal materialises.
The transfer fee won’t prove a stumbling block (£17m), but Jesus may have to accept a sizeable pay cut to make the switch to the Naples outfit before the deadline.
He is one of the Gunners’ top earners at £265,000 weekly. Napoli’s highest earner is Kevin De Bruyne at £182,000 per week, followed by Hojlund at £152,000 per week.
Jesus may have to accept a 35-40 percent salary reduction to join the Champions League outfit.
Arsenal don’t seem desperate to offload Jesus and could keep him as a back-up striker behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz if nothing materialises this summer.
There is still a possibility that Jesus could leave on a free when his contract expires in June 2027.
Stats from Capology.com