Editorial Use. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Agencia LOF/Action Plus/Shutterstock (17037085ct) Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal; 1st August 2026, Estadio Montilivi, Gerona, Spain; Trofeo Costa Brava Pre-season Friendly; Girona FC versus Arsenal. 2026 Trofeo Costa Brava Pre-season Friendly Girona FC v Arsenal Aug 1, Gerona, Spain - 01 Aug 2026
Editorial Use. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Agencia LOF/Action Plus/Shutterstock (17037085ct) Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal; 1st August 2026, Estadio Montilivi, Gerona, Spain; Trofeo Costa Brava Pre-season Friendly; Girona FC versus Arsenal. 2026 Trofeo Costa Brava Pre-season Friendly Girona FC v Arsenal Aug 1, Gerona, Spain - 01 Aug 2026
Napoli have been told it will be virtually impossible for them to sign Gabriel Jesus this summer under the current conditions.
The Arsenal striker appears destined to leave the Premier League champions after four injury-interrupted years with the northLondon club.
Jesus made an instant impact upon joining the Gunners from Manchester City and played a big role in helping Mikel Arteta turn a sleeping giant into title contenders.
Two serious knee injuries have derailed the 29-year-old’s career, however, to the extent whereby he is effectively Arsenal’s fourth choice striker behind the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino.
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Despite not quite being the player of old Jesus remains in high-demand this summer with a number of clubs in Italy and Turkey interested in his services.
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Saudi Arabia, too, has been mooted as a potential destination for the Brazil international but Napoli appeared to be the frontrunners and had identified Jesus as a potential replacement for the outgoing Romelu Lukaku.
Arsenal’s desire to seek a permanent exit for Jesus, rather than accept a loan with an option to buy offer, is complicating matters as the players’ agent Giovanni Branchini explained.
Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus rues a missed chance during the pre-season friendly match at Aviva Stadium, Dublin. Picture date: Wednesday August 5, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Brian Lawless/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: Use subject to restrictions. Editorial use only, no commercial use without prior consent from rights holder.
Gabriel Jesus has featured in all of Arsenal’s pre-season matches so far (Credits: Brian Lawless/PA Wire)
He said: ‘For several months, many clubs have been sounding out the player’s situation to understand Arsenal‘s intentions, numbers and expectations.
‘I’ve had three Italian clubs approach me, and a potential fourth had expressed interest at a time when they seemed on the verge of selling an important striker in the squad.
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‘They had the possibility of trying the Gabriel card in their head. This is the reality.
EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Bagu Blanco/Pressinphoto/Shutterstock (17035646dv) Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal FC during the Costa Brava Trophy match 2026-2027, between Girona FC and Arsenal FC played at Montilivi Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Sergio Ruiz / PRESSIN) Girona v Arsenal, Club Friendlies, Trofeo Costa Brava, Football, Estadi Municipal de Montilivi, Girona, Spain - 01 Aug 2026
Gabriel Jesus joined Arsenal from Man City four years ago (Source: Rex Features)
‘And I can add that apart from a couple of Turkish clubs, rejected because they weren’t interested in going to Turkey, there haven’t been any other significant negotiations.’
Speaking specifically about Napoli, the agent clarified that the possibility of reaching an agreement with Arsenal is currently remote.
“Dreaming, possibly, is possible under certain conditions that don’t exist at this stage. And to say otherwise is inappropriate for Napoli and for Gabriel Jesus.”
HONG KONG, CHINA - AUGUST 1: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City talks to media during the post match press conference after the Manchester City v Inter Milan - Pre-Season Friendly match at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
HONG KONG, CHINA - AUGUST 1: Head coach Enzo Maresca of Manchester City talks to media during the post match press conference after the Manchester City v Inter Milan - Pre-Season Friendly match at Kai Tak Stadium on August 1, 2026 in Hong Kong, China. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)