Giovanni Branchini was spotted at Napoli's training camp, but claims the visit was solely for coach Massimiliano Allegri. Fabrizio Romano, meanwhile, reports that the Brazilian is open to Serie A.
The future of Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has become a hot topic after his agent, Giovanni Branchini, was spotted at Napoli's training camp in Castel di Sangro. While Italian media and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano link the 29-year-old Brazilian with a move to Napoli, the agent was quick to deny that talks were underway, emphasizing that he came to visit his other client, Napoli's new coach Massimiliano Allegri.
Branchini, who represents both Gabriel Jesus and Massimiliano Allegri, was seen in the stands during Napoli's training session in Castel di Sangro on Friday evening, August 7, 2026. His appearance immediately fueled transfer rumors, given that Jesus is entering the final 12 months of his contract with Arsenal. Although the Brazilian remains an important part of Mikel Arteta's squad, his long-term status in North London is increasingly uncertain.
According to Italian media reports relayed by Goal.com, Napoli sees Jesus as a primary target in case strikers Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Lucca leave the club before the end of the transfer window. On the other hand, Fabrizio Romano reported that the agent met with Napoli and that Jesus is open to a move to Serie A, but Arsenal is only considering a permanent transfer.
Despite intense speculation, Branchini clarified the motives behind his visit to Videoinformazioni.com. He stressed that the visit was of a private nature and solely related to his relationship with Allegri.
"Allegri and I are in contact; I came today to visit him. He is working hard and is satisfied with everything. He has always had a good opinion of this team and is pleased with the work being done,"the agent stated.
When directly asked whether Jesus was a topic of conversation with Napoli's management or coaching staff, Branchini was clear:
"I didn't discuss him with Allegri."Italian journalists noted that the agent visibly tried to avoid questions about the Brazilian international, who last season won the Premier League title with Arsenal and played in the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain.
When asked by reporters about the conditions of a potential transfer, specifically whether the sale of Lukaku and Lucca is key to bringing in Jesus, Branchini refused to speculate.
"In my line of work, 'ifs' mean very little, not as much as they do to you journalists. From my point of view, it's better not to talk about speculation,"he concluded.
Although the agent officially denied negotiations, his refusal to comment on hypothetical scenarios leaves plenty of room for further twists in the final days of the transfer window. Jesus, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in the summer of 2022, finds himself at a crossroads in his career, and Napoli's interest, confirmed by Romano, suggests the story could become even more complicated.
