Jesus snubs Napoli move as Arsenal weigh £20m sale with contract expiring

Gabriel Jesus has turned down the prospect of joining Napoli this summer, leaving his Arsenal future unresolved with just one year remaining on his contract at the Emirates, according to reports from Marca.

The Italian club had been considered a natural landing spot for the 28-year-old after Romelu Lukaku’s departure created a vacancy up front, and Jesus himself had previously expressed an openness to Serie A — telling Gazzetta dello Sport earlier this summer: “I grew up watching Serie A and dreamed of playing in Italy. Scoring two goals at San Siro against Inter was like making that dream come true.”

Despite those comments, Napoli are not currently on Jesus’ list of preferred destinations. The Brazilian is instead taking time to assess all available options before the window closes on September 1. He has previously spoken about an eventual return to Brazil before his career ends.

Arsenal have set a £20 million asking price for the forward, a modest valuation that reflects both his age and his recent injury record. Jesus managed just six goals in 27 appearances across all competitions last season after spending close to a year on the sidelines with a serious injury. He was also absent from the squad for Arsenal’s Community Shield victory over Manchester City.

Manager Mikel Arteta has been publicly supportive of Jesus, insisting the forward merits a place in the squad alongside compatriot Gabriel Martinelli. “It’s really sad not to have their ability,” Arteta said. “I have been fighting with the Premier League to extend the squad, to accommodate more players. It’s always tough. They deserve to be in the squad, there is no question.”

Jesus arrived from Manchester City in the summer of 2022 and was a key figure as Arsenal finished second in his debut season. Since then, however, Kai Havertz has established himself as the preferred false nine, and last summer the club added Viktor Gyokeres for more than £60 million, pushing Jesus further down the attacking pecking order.

With the window entering its final weeks, Jesus faces a decision that could define the remainder of his career — whether to fight for his place at a title-winning club or seek regular football elsewhere.