Arsenal, United and Chelsea striker sales hinge on Napoli offloading their own forward first

Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea are each waiting on Napoli to complete an outgoing transfer before any of their respective striker sales can move forward, with the Serie A club needing to free up a squad place before bringing in a new centre-forward ahead of the September 1 deadline.

Napoli recently sold Romelu Lukaku to Fenerbahce for around £5 million, ending a dismal two-year spell in which the Belgian managed just 45 appearances — only five of them in the league last season due to persistent injury and fitness problems. That departure has left Antonio Conte’s side short of attacking options and actively searching for a replacement.

Gabriel Jesus is the name most prominently linked with a move to Naples. The Brazilian has struggled to establish himself at Arsenal since Viktor Gyokeres arrived 12 months ago, and is widely expected to leave the Emirates before the window closes. Napoli are understood to be keen admirers of the 27-year-old.

Joshua Zirkzee has also attracted Napoli’s interest. Manchester United have received a formal enquiry regarding the Dutch forward’s availability, and with Zirkzee having fallen behind Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko in manager Michael Carrick’s pecking order, the club are prepared to let him leave for the right fee. The 25-year-old had previously been linked with Roma during the January window.

Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson completes the trio under consideration. The Senegalese forward, who is contracted at Stamford Bridge until 2033, spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich and has returned to west London without a clear path into Xabi Alonso’s plans. Chelsea appear set to continue with Joao Pedro as their first-choice striker — the Portuguese forward has already been handed the No.9 shirt — making Jackson’s departure increasingly likely.

All three deals, however, remain contingent on Napoli first moving on a forward from their current squad. Until that happens, Arsenal, United and Chelsea can only monitor the situation as the window enters its final weeks.