Euro giants have 'long dreamed' of signing Arsenal forward, would be 'icing on the cake'
Napoli have ‘long dreamed’ of signing Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus, according to Gazzetta dello Sport (page 20).
The Brazil international is the third-choice striker for the Gunners behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz.
He managed just over 400 minutes in the Premier League last term, which is a clear indication of his current role.
Gazzetta dello Sport today claim that the Naples outfit are on the cusp of landing wing-back Costantino Favasuli.
Discussions are also ongoing with Chelsea for centre-back Benoit Badiashile, while Jesus would be the ‘icing on the cake’.
The Naples outfit have ‘long dreamed’ of signing the 29-year-old but need some more patience, with another forward exit required.
Romelu Lukaku is already on his way to Fenerbahce, and Napoli plan to offload Noa Lang or Lorenzo Lucca before pursuing Jesus.
Lang is the subject of interest from Ajax. An offer worth £21 million plus add-ons is ‘expected’ if Mika Godts leaves for Paris Saint-Germain.
If that happens, Napoli are prepared to go ‘all out’ for Jesus. The Champions League outfit could try and seal a deal for less than the £17m asking price.
Napoli preparing late move for Jesus
Lukaku is on the cusp of joining Fenerbahce, but Napoli have yet to receive offers for Lang or Lucca.
Lang seems the most likely candidate to depart, with interest from Ajax, but that could directly depend on whether PSG sign Godts from the Dutch giants.
Until then, Arsenal may have to play the waiting game. Jesus has already turned down offers from Turkey, and views the Serie A as his preferred destination.
Napoli could make a late move for the 29-year-old before the transfer window closes, and it remains to be seen whether Arsenal pursue a possible replacement.
The Gunners were linked with Club Brugge’s Nicolo Tresoldi in April, but nothing has materialised over the past few months. Arsenal recently signed Christos Tzolis from the Belgian outfit.
Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez would be a statement signing for the number nine role, but that may probably mean one of Viktor Gyokeres or Kai Havertz could move on for regular playing time.
Atletico have a keen interest in landing Gyokeres in a player-plus-cash deal for Alvarez, but Arsenal would be better off signing someone else than the Argentine, who seems focused on Barcelona.
Alvarez is undoubtedly an elite striker who can also play out wide or in the number 10 role. However, it makes no sense to land a player who could push to join Barcelona in a season or two.
Atletico are clear that they won’t directly sell the 26-year-old to Barcelona or Real Madrid this summer.
Stats from Transfermarkt
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