Barcelona and Juventus have reportedly made enquiries about the availability of Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus ahead of the summer window.
According to a report from Brazilian publication Lance, Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus could be on his way out this summer, with Barcelona and Juventus making enquiries to explore the possibility of a transfer.
Gabriel Jesus moved to Manchester City in 2016 from Palmeiras as a 19-year-old prodigy. Touted as the long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero at the Etihad Stadium, the Brazilian striker has had his moments throughout his stint at the club. But he has never really managed to convince that he can be entrusted with the role of the primary striker.
In 229 appearances for Manchester City, Jesus has scored 89 goals and set up 45 more. He has taken a secondary role in the ongoing campaign despite Aguero’s departure, with Pep Guardiola opting to use the likes of Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish in false nine roles throughout the season.
With Manchester City getting closer to the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, Jesus’s prospects of playing regularly will take a further hit next term. As a result, the 25-year-old is now considering leaving the Premier League champions at the end of the season. And there seems to be no shortage of suitors for the striker, with Barcelona and Juventus interested.
Barcelona’s search for a new striker is no secret as Xavi Hernandez is scouring the market for a new No. 9 to spearhead his rebuild project at Camp Nou from next season. Haaland had been Barcelona’s preferred target. But as iterated earlier, he is headed to the Etihad Stadium. Robert Lewandowski is also under consideration at Camp Nou, but Bayern Munich might be unwilling to lose their ace striker.
It has led to Barcelona identifying other alternatives, with Gabriel Jesus presenting himself as a cost-effective Plan B. But the Blaugrana will have to battle Juventus for the services of the 25-year-old Manchester City striker in the summer.
Juventus are set to lose Moise Kean and Alvaro Morata at the end of the season when their loan deals expire. Paulo Dybala is also moving on in the summer when his contract expires. So, the Bianconeri need to bolster their attacking ranks to support Dusan Vlahovic for the coming seasons, with Jesus emerging as a target.
Both Barcelona and Juventus have reportedly lodged enquiries for Gabriel Jesus. And with his contract with Manchester City expiring in 2023, there is a good chance that the Premier League leaders would be open to a sale. What remains to be seen is where the Brazilian international ends up before next season.
