'He could help us': Kevin De Bruyne talks up Napoli move for £17.1m Arsenal star
Napoli midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has opened the possibility of reuniting with Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus this summer.
Jesus has been deemed surplus to requirements at the Gunners, and has not featured in the matchday squads for the first two games of the season.
The Brazil international is widely expected to move on, given that he has entered the final year of his contract with the Premier League holders.
Napoli are one of the clubs interested in signing him, and it has been claimed that he is a top priority for them once Noa Lang heads for the exit door.
In an exclusive interview with Corriere dello Sport (page 3), De Bruyne was asked about his five-year spell with Jesus at former club Manchester City.
When pressed on his strengths, the Belgian star said that he is good on the ball, and also talked up his hold-up play and build-up in the final third.
De Bruyne added that he would offer something different to Rasmus Hojlund or Lorenzo Lucca up front, and would bring experience and a winning mentality too.
De Bruyne said: “Quality. Quality in attack—on the ball, in hold-up play, and in the build-up. He’s the kind of player we probably don’t have right now; he’s different from Rasmus or Lorenzo.
“If he were to join, he could help us. And he brings experience, too: he knows how to win. That’s important; we’ll see what happens. No, he hasn’t called me (about any contact).
Jesus could move to Napoli before deadline
Jesus has no future at the Gunners after manager Mikel Arteta’s recent squad selections. Max Dowman was preferred ahead of him on the bench against Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Bruno Guimaraes was injured for the Premier League curtain-raiser against Coventry City at the Emirates Stadium, but Arteta chose to go with Ethan Nwaneri as a substitute option over Jesus.
Gabriel Martinelli suffered the same fate as Jesus. The 25-year-old has apparently decided to move on, and Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal remain optimistic of landing his signature soon.
Jesus has not received any offer from the Saudi top tier, but he could continue his career in Europe with Napoli, who are in the Champions League and genuine contenders for the Serie A title.
The former Manchester City man has lost some pace after multiple knee injuries, but still offers good hold-up play and can create chances for his teammates in addition to scoring goals.
A move to Serie A would suit him, given the league is more tactical and less intense than the Premier League. Arsenal seem open to sanctioning his departure for £17.1 million.
The big hurdle could be on the player’s side. Jesus earns £265,000 per week at Arsenal, while Napoli’s highest earner is De Bruyne, who is on a weekly package of £182,000.
He may have to accept a significant pay cut of 30 to 40 percent to make the switch to Naples.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Capology.com
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