Mikel Arteta hints £17.1m star could leave Arsenal alongside Martinelli
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted that striker Gabriel Jesus could head for the exit door after being left out of Thursday’s first-team training session.
The Brazil international has not made the matchday squad in the first two games of the season, and he is widely expected to leave before the transfer window closes.
Napoli are the main contenders for his signature, and it has been reported that they could step up their pursuit as soon as they manage to offload Noa Lang.
Speaking at today’s press conference ahead of the Aston Villa game, Arteta was asked about Jesus’ absence from training and whether it was transfer-related.
In response, he said (via BBC Sport): “Personal situations, whatever they are, I think it’s clear.”
Meanwhile, the manager also spoke about Martinelli leaving training ahead of other players.
The 25-year-old winger has been tipped to join Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, and Arteta acknowledged that any outcome will be one that ‘everyone agrees‘.
Jesus could follow Martinelli through the exit door
Arsenal are close to agreeing on a deal worth £57 million for Martinelli’s departure. The Brazilian ace has yet to finalise personal terms, but there is optimism that could happen soon.
Martinelli’s transfer would represent a record sale for the Gunners, and there could be more exits. Jesus has gone completely out of the first-team picture and could be on his way out.
Arteta has hinted that the club are trying to sort out his situation. No formal offers have been made, but it appears Napoli could be the likely destination for the former Manchester City man.
Despite recent links with Marc Guiu and Nick Woltemade, Jesus remains Napoli manager Massimiliano Allegri’s preferred centre-forward target, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.
Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has also talked up a reunion with the 29-year-old, and things could speed up in the next couple of days with the transfer deadline fast approaching.
Arsenal value the experienced forward at £17.1 million. The transfer fee could be slightly negotiable, but the main roadblock towards a potential move could be the player’s weekly wages.
Jesus earns a hefty £265,000 per week at Arsenal, 45 percent more than what De Bruyne receives (£182,500 per week) at Napoli. The Belgian is the highest earner at the Naples outfit after Romelu Lukaku’s exit.
Hence, Jesus would need to make a big financial sacrifice for a transfer deal to materialise. We won’t be surprised if Arsenal hand him a small pay-off to accept a salary reduction at Napoli.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com
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