Gabriel Jesus Gives Approval to Napoli but Lukaku and One Other Sale Required First: A Transfer Saga

FolioPitch.com – 11 August 2026 | As the summer transfer window continues to heat up, Gabriel Jesus gives approval to Napoli but Lukaku and one other sale required first has become a major talking point in the football world. The Brazilian striker, who is into the final year of his contract with Arsenal, has reportedly given his approval to join Napoli, but the Italian club must first sell Romelu Lukaku and either Lorenzo Lucca or Noa Lang to create space in their budget and squad.

The situation at Napoli is complex, with the club having three senior centre-forwards on their books, but only Rasmus Hojlund is guaranteed to stay at the end of the summer transfer window. Lukaku, who has been linked with a move to Fenerbahce and the MLS, is expected to leave the club, with Napoli lowering their initial valuation of the 33-year-old from €12m to €7m-€8m.

Meanwhile, Lucca, who joined Napoli from Udinese last summer, has failed to convince and is not expected to have a future at the Stadio Maradona. His disastrous loan spell with Nottingham Forest during the second half of the 2025-26 season, which saw him bombed out of the first-team squad after just four Premier League appearances, has not helped his cause.

Gabriel Jesus gives approval to Napoli but Lukaku and one other sale required first is a deal that could have significant implications for both clubs. Jesus, who has fallen down the pecking order at Arsenal, is looking for a new challenge, and Napoli, who are seeking a centre-forward to rotate and compete with Hojlund, could provide him with the opportunity he is looking for.

The fact that Jesus and Napoli head coach Massimiliano Allegri share the same agent, Giovanni Branchini, who has been spotted at Napoli’s pre-season training camp, has added fuel to the speculation. However, as things stand, Gabriel Jesus gives approval to Napoli but Lukaku and one other sale required first is the only way the deal can happen.

Napoli are reportedly seeking a fee in the region of €25m-€30m for Lang, who has been linked with a move to Ajax. The Dutch club’s interest in the player could provide Napoli with the opportunity to raise funds and create space in their squad for Jesus.

In conclusion, Gabriel Jesus gives approval to Napoli but Lukaku and one other sale required first is a complex transfer saga that involves multiple players and clubs. While Jesus has given his approval to join Napoli, the club must first sell Lukaku and either Lucca or Lang to create space in their budget and squad. As the summer transfer window continues to unfold, it will be interesting to see how this deal develops and whether Napoli can secure the services of the Brazilian striker.