Arsenal
Gabriel Jesus’ Arsenal future has taken another twist. The Brazilian forward is being linked with a move away from the Emirates, but Napoli have hit a major roadblock. Jesus is not ready to make the move.
Jesus says no to Napoli approach
Gabriel Jesus has entered a key point in his Arsenal career. The 29-year-old has one year left on his current deal and has fallen down the pecking order after a difficult season. As reported by The Mirror, Napoli started talks for the Brazil forward but found that Jesus is currently not open to joining the Italian side. The report adds that he is taking time to decide what move would suit him best.
That has made the story more interesting. Arsenal are open to selling, yet the player does not appear ready to accept the first option on the table. Napoli possibly sees Jesus as a possible successor to Lukaku. The Beligian striker has only a year left on his current Napoli deal. The Gunners are believed to want around £18M to £20M for Jesus. For Napoli, that fee could be possible, but they first need to sort out other moves and create room in their squad.
Gabriel Jesus’s stats for the 2025/26 season, as per FOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists
Premier League 14 3 0
FA Cup 4 1 1
EFL Cup 3 0 0
Champions League 6 2 0
Arsenal future now looks unclear
Jesus’ place in Mikel Arteta’s plans has become less certain. Injuries hurt his last campaign, and he struggled to find a steady run of games. His current contract situation adds more pressure. Arsenal do not want to keep a player who may leave for free later, so a sale could make sense for the club. The Gunners reportedly have been looking at ways to change their attack, with several forwards facing questions over their futures. That has increased the focus on Jesus as the summer window moves on.
There is also another Arsenal player involved in the wider story. Gabriel Martinelli has been linked with Napoli after turning down a move to Galatasaray. Martinelli’s camp rejected a €45M offer from the Turkish club. Napoli then showed interest in the winger as well as Jesus, but neither move was straightforward.
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A big choice for Jesus
Jesus now has to decide what comes next. Staying in North London could offer stability, but regular football may be harder to find. Leaving could give him a fresh start. It could also help rebuild confidence after a stop-start period caused by injuries and limited minutes. Napoli reportedly have been part of the discussion around Jesus’ future, but the situation remains open rather than settled. The forward still has time to consider his next step.
For the Premier League side, the ideal outcome would be a clean deal that works for all sides. For Jesus, the choice is more personal. He needs a place where he can play, stay fit and feel trusted again. With the summer window still open, this story could change quickly. For now, though, Napoli have not convinced him.
Author’s Opinion
Gabriel Jesus still has plenty to offer, but his next move should be about playing time. A fresh start may help him find his best form again. Arsenal also need a clear plan. Neither side gains much from keeping an unhappy player.
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