Napoli remain interested in Gabriel Jesus but are now considering Chelsea striker Marc Guiu as the transfer window enters its final stages.
Gabriel Jesus has reportedly rejected the prospect of joining Napoli, despite the Italian club identifying the Arsenal striker as their leading attacking target for the final week of the transfer window.
Metro report that Napoli had made Jesus their first choice but have been forced to consider alternatives because the 29-year-old is apparently not interested in moving to Italy.
Arsenal are said to be willing to sell the Brazilian for £20 million.
That has brought Marc Guiu into Napoli’s thinking. The Chelsea striker, who joined the London club from Barcelona for £5 million in 2024, spent part of last season on loan at Sunderland before being recalled after 26 days and is now described as surplus to requirements.
There is, however, a significant difference between the reports in England and Italy.
Corriere dello Sport maintain that Jesus remains Napoli’s principal target as the transfer window enters its final week, rather than presenting their interest as having ended because of the player’s position.
The Italian newspaper says Napoli’s ability to strengthen their attack is tied closely to departures, with Cyril Ngonge, Walid Cheddira, Jesper Lindstrom and Jens Cajuste among the players whose situations still have to be resolved.
Jesus nevertheless remains central to their plans. Corriere dello Sport report that his time with Arsenal is effectively at an end, as we all know, and that Napoli are assessing a possible move with one year remaining on his contract.
His age and salary are also factors. Jesus is 29 and the Italian report puts his required wages at €6 million, adding another consideration for sporting director Giovanni Manna as Napoli work through the final days of the market, even though that would still represent a sizeable salary drop for the Brazilian.
Napoli are also examining alternatives. Amine Gouiri, the 26-year-old Marseille forward who also reportedly interests Tottenham Hotspur, is one possibility, while Guiu is another.
The 20-year-old Chelsea striker is valued at about €15 million and would offer Napoli a younger option.
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