Napoli continue to work on a deal for Gabriel Jesus but Arsenal now have a genuine problem because the Italian side have been handed the chance to sign Chelsea’s Marc Guiu instead.
Napoli have been operating with a shortlist for their number nine search. Amine Gouiri was one name on it, though that deal has been complicated by Tottenham’s interest in the Algerian. That leaves them with dealing with two London clubs and a straight choice between Arsenal and Chelsea forwards.
Why the Noa Lang sale matters to Arsenal
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Corriere dello Sport report that a move for either player could be unlocked by an outgoing, specifically the sale of Noa Lang, with Galatasaray close to re-signing the Dutchman. Napoli are hopeful that opens the door to the striker Max Allegri desperately wants before the window closes.
The paper notes Jesus sits top of Napoli’s shortlist. He is valued at under €20 million and remains a live option. Jesus himself left the door open to a summer exit back in May, so the appetite on his side has been there for some time.
The Marc Guiu complication for Arsenal
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Guiu would cost Napoli more, valued at over €25 million by Xabi Alonso’s Chelsea. But there is a compelling reason Napoli might pay it anyway. The prospect of making a capital gain on a future sale is genuinely appealing to them, and that is where the comparison starts to look uncomfortable for Arsenal.
Sportmediaset add further detail, suggesting there is already a preliminary agreement between Arsenal and Napoli for Jesus. The obstacle is not the clubs. It is the player, who has not opened up to the move over salary. As a result, momentum behind signing the Spanish striker instead is building, and Napoli could make an offer for Guiu within hours.
Why time is running out on the Gabriel Jesus exit
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Everything Napoli do now depends on outgoings, and it remains to be seen whether Galatasaray offer a permanent deal for Lang. That could prove decisive, particularly if Napoli want to approach Chelsea with a serious offer.
From Arsenal’s perspective, this was always going to be financially awkward. Jesus is 29, which leaves almost no scope for a buying club to make a future profit, and his injury record adds another layer of hesitation for anyone weighing up the deal. Guiu, by contrast, offers exactly the resale upside Napoli find attractive.
With a preliminary agreement already in place and only the player’s salary demands standing in the way, Arsenal will be hoping this resolves quickly. If Napoli move for Guiu first, one of the more straightforward-looking exits of the summer suddenly becomes a lot more complicated.
