Napoli Pursue Premier League Trio: Gabriel Jesus, Joshua Zirkzee, and Nicolas Jackson
Napoli is actively pursuing new attacking players, with their sights set on Gabriel Jesus, Joshua Zirkzee, and Nicolas Jackson. The Italian side aims to reinforce their forward line after Romelu Lukaku's departure to Fenerbahce.
Strengthening the Attack
The club’s current forward options include David Neres, Rasmus Hojlund, Matteo Politano, and Alisson Santos. Still, securing a reliable goalscorer remains a priority. To be ready for any opportunity before the transfer window closes, Napoli is considering several striking prospects.
Gabriel Jesus: Experienced Brazilian Forward
Jesus began his professional career at Palmeiras, where he earned Best Newcomer honors in the 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A and helped win the Copa do Brasil. He also secured the Bola de Ouro in 2016, leading Palmeiras to a national title after 22 years.
He transferred to Manchester City in January 2017 for £27 million, collecting four Premier League titles, three EFL Cups, and an FA Cup. In July 2022, he moved to Arsenal for £45 million. After missing most of 2025 due to injury, he returned in December and scored his first goal in over 11 months against Aston Villa.
Joshua Zirkzee: Rising Dutch Talent
Zirkzee, a product of Bayern Munich’s youth academy, made 17 appearances for their senior squad and was loaned to Parma and Anderlecht before joining Bologna permanently in August 2022. His impressive performances earned him a spot in the 2023–24 Serie A Team of the Year and the league’s Best Under-23 award.
These achievements led to his transfer to Manchester United in July 2024. However, his role at Old Trafford has attracted interest from clubs like Napoli exploring transfer possibilities.
Nicolas Jackson: Chelsea’s Promising Forward
Jackson rose through Casa Sports and Villarreal before debuting in La Liga in 2021. Chelsea signed him in 2023 on an eight-year contract reportedly worth £32 million. He scored in the 2025 UEFA Conference League final against Real Betis.
During the 2025–26 season, Jackson was loaned to Bayern Munich for €16.5 million. There, he scored in the Champions League against Pafos and helped Bayern secure the Bundesliga title by defeating VfB Stuttgart.
Napoli’s Forward Options
- Gabriel Jesus: Former Palmeiras star; played for Manchester City and Arsenal.
- Joshua Zirkzee: Developed at Bayern Munich; standout season at Bologna; now at Manchester United.
- Nicolas Jackson: Chelsea forward with experience in La Liga and Bundesliga; recent Bundesliga champion with Bayern Munich.
Napoli’s management is assessing these candidates carefully to decide on their next offensive reinforcement.
