Arsenal transfer stalls over finances

Italian champions continue to prioritise Gabriel Jesus, but Arsenal’s valuation, player wage demands and Napoli’s own transfer plans remain significant obstacles.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 09: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium on August 09, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) — Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

Gabriel Jesus remains firmly on Napoli‘s radar, but the Italian champions are discovering that admiring the Arsenal forward is one thing, finding the money to sign him is quite another.

Napoli still regard Jesus as their preferred attacking target, yet with Arsenal’s valuation, the striker’s salary demands and the club’s own transfer priorities all presenting obstacles, any move appears some way from becoming reality.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian champions continue to view the Arsenal forward as their preferred attacking signing.

However, the report says a deal is proving difficult because of the overall cost involved.

NAPOLI prepares the blow BUT VA GOES TO THE ATTACK FOR GABRIEL J Favasuli and Badiashile are one step away, the Brazilian does not play with arsenal: in front he remains the favorite La Gazzetta dello Sport - Napoli By ANTONIO GIORDANO NAPLES RESERVED REPRODUCTION 17 Aug 2026 the Punctuality is a detail: because it is quick to say that it is done, that it is closed, that it is simply floating around one bonus too many, but the market should not unbalance itself, allowing itself appointments with signatures. What seems to be about to happen, in reality can also turn into plastic illusion: then you will end up discovering that in truth the difference was collected in a banality or maybe not and therefore, better prudence. Costantino Favasuli (22) said goodbye to Catanzaro, he did it publicly and must do nothing more, tomorrow, than a jump to Villa Stuart, for the medical examinations that introduce the fateful welcome of Adl: seven million (one loan, six for the mandatory ransom, another in case...) and bottles of bubbles to uncork. In defense Alone, or who knows if with Benoit Badiashile (25), who filled the Ferragosto and also the Sunday of Giovanni Manna, the diesse, glued to the phone to remove the last edges: the three million loan was accepted; then there would be another twenty-seven for the ransom (a right, not the obligation) and finally a difference of views on another million to be recognized eventually at Chelsea in the event of a scudetto. The negotiations are complicated, they invest various interests — those of the clubs, the players, the prosecutors — and they never end when you would like: Napoli is in a hurry, wants to have the central defensive to go to Marassi, Saturday, with a complete staff, he has not even stopped thinking about Aguerd (30) who suddenly went away from Real Sociedad and in any case intends to strengthen with the French of Congolese origins. The first choice, as we use to say in summer: the nights, in general, we discuss to the bitter end, we try to arrive at unexpected solutions, we accelerate and if upon awakening Badiashile will have seriously become the defender to be delivered to Allegri, getting ready to show it by specialists would be really simple exercise, how to get it directly on Rome in the day. Attack Other maneuvers Aguerd is also in the crosshairs. Lang for sale but need 25 million, Lucca on the market It is instead more complicated to compose the offensive mosaic, with everything that can happen: Napoli interested Gabriel Gabriel For certain shots, however, they need a lot of money: twenty million euros for the purchase, and they could be insufficient, then half a dozen (and who knows if they would be enough) to seduce the Brazilian. Here the times are lengthening, the priorities are other and the competition remains relevant: it will be allowed to take every pause for reflection, even possibly wait for new raises on attackers who are there in staff and that Manna will have to somehow fix. For Lang, echoes from Holland (the Aa Ax) and again also from Turkey (the Galatasaray), while atalanta has been told that there is no intention to chat about the loan, an impractical possibility for anyone: Lang is worth twenty-five million euros, and De Laurentiis who spent twenty-eight a year ago does not like to put it back, rightly. Then there is Lucca, which in Italy has admirers but still has its quotation strongly addressed by the investment of twelve months ago, when it took thirty-five million euros to convince Udinese to sell the Piedmontese center forward. And to look sympathetically over the Sleeve:whether they are pounds or euros, at that point, would make little difference. With the budget in safety, it is more natural to start dreaming. But Badiashile, who always comes from London, is ahead, it almost seems to be seen... — Gazetta dello Sport 16 August 2026

Arsenal are said to want around €20 million for the Brazil international, while Napoli would also need to offer wages of around €6 million per season.

Even then, the report suggests that package may not be enough to convince Jesus to move.

Napoli are also said to be concentrating on strengthening in defence before turning their full attention to attacking reinforcements. The club are working to complete deals for Costantino Favasuli and Benoît Badiashile, with further spending likely to depend on player sales.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 31: Benoit Badiashile of Chelsea reacts during the Premier League match between Chelsea and West Ham United at Stamford Bridge on January 31, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images) — Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images

One potential source of funds is Noa Lang, who Napoli reportedly value at around €25 million, while Lorenzo Lucca is also available.

The report also claims there is competition from other clubs for Jesus, although no names are mentioned.

Speculation naturally intensified after Jesus was omitted from Arsenal’s 20-man Community Shield squad for the 3-0 victory over Manchester City, despite being fit and featuring against Como in midweek.

However, Mikel Arteta dismissed suggestions that the decision was linked to an imminent transfer. The Arsenal manager explained it was purely a selection issue, pointing out that only 11 starters and nine substitutes could be named.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 05: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal FC walks off after the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Real Betis Balompie at Aviva Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Evan Treacy/Getty Images) — Photo by Evan Treacy/Getty Images

Arteta described it as “really sad” that Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Ethan Nwaneri all missed out despite deserving places in the squad, while reiterating that both Jesus and Martinelli remain important members of his plans.

Still, no-one really expects the 29-year-old to be at Arsenal when the window closes.

Jesus has made 123 appearances for Arsenal since arriving from Manchester City in July 2022, scoring 32 goals across all competitions, with 22 assists.

Recurring fitness problems have reduced his influence in recent campaigns and his role has increasingly become that of a squad player.

DUBLIN, IRELAND - AUGUST 05: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal FC reacts during the pre-season friendly match between Arsenal FC and Real Betis Balompie at Aviva Stadium on August 05, 2026 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Evan Treacy/Getty Images) — Photo by Evan Treacy/Getty Images

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