Arsenal set for key transfer breakthrough as Napoli confirm £5.1m deal | OneFootball

Italian side have cleared one obstacle

Arsenal’s hopes of selling Gabriel Jesus may have been handed handed a huge boost with Fenerbahce completing the signing of Romelu Lukaku from Napoli.

As announced by both Napoli and Fenerbahce on Wednesday, the Belgium international has made the switch from Italy to Turkey.

Neither club have provided financial details of the deal, it has been reported by Fabrizio Romano that Fener have paid in excess of €6million (£5.1m) for the former Chelsea and Manchester United striker.

Lukaku joined Napoli in August 2024 and enjoyed a productive first season by scoring 14 goals in Serie A to help secure the Scudetto title. However, last season he made just seven appearances across all competitions because of a thigh injury.

His departure leaves Napoli in the market for a replacement and they have been linked with a move for Jesus.

Standard Sport reported earlier in the week that Arsenal are open to selling the Brazilian before the end of the window.

The Gunners want up to £20million for Jesus, amid links to Napoli, though it is understood that Arsenal have not received a formal approach from the Italian club as it stands.

It has, though, been widely reported that Napoli would step up their pursuit of the Arsenal No9 once Lukaku had sold.

This may soon become a reality as the Italian side can now accelerate plans to sign Jesus with the funds brought in from Lukaku’s sale to Fenerbahce, as well as clearing his wages off the books.

Arsenal, meanwhile, are targeting a defender and a versatile forward as Mikel Arteta aims to bolster his squad even further after deals for Christos Tzolis, Illan Meslier and Bruno Guimaraes.

“That's the demands,” Arteta said after the Gunners drew their final pre-season game of the summer against Como.

“I think for the margins to improve, there are very few players in the market that are available to do that and bring that to the club.

“But again, we are actively looking to improve that and we're going to try.”