Arsenal are reportedly confident of signing Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City as Mikel Arteta re-draws his transfer plans for the summer.
According to The Sun, Arsenal remain confident of signing Gabriel Jesus in the coming weeks, with the report suggesting the Brazilian could be only one of three players Mikel Arteta plans to sign in the summer. The Gunners and Manchester City are yet to reach an agreement, with the north Londoners now confident of sealing the move in a reported £40 million deal.
The signings of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez have pushed Gabriel Jesus to consider leaving Manchester City. He might have left the club last year had they brought in Harry Kane from Tottenham but instead stayed put to win another Premier League title under Pep Guardiola.
Mikel Arteta knows Jesus from his days as Guardiola’s assistant at the Etihad, and this relationship has a significant role to play in negotiations with the player. This summer, Jesus enters the final year of his contract and will not be satisfied with a reduced role at Manchester City. The best solution for all parties is a sale, with Arsenal, the likeliest destination for the Brazilian forward.
Jesus has reportedly agreed personal terms with the Gunners after Edu Gaspar began speaking with his agent. Arsenal were hoping to lure him for a significantly lower price, taking his contractual situation under consideration, but Manchester City’s demands dealt them a blow.
Arsenal are unwilling to pay the £55 million demanded by Manchester City and hope the Citizens lower their asking price. The report suggests that the Gunners are confident of sealing a move closer to the £40 million mark, as they consider that a reasonable price for a player in the final year of his deal.
Arsenal have reportedly bowed out of the race for Victor Osimhen, citing Napoli’s high asking price. That has enabled them to look back at Jesus and consider him their primary striker target. Meanwhile, the potential renewal of Eddie Nketiah reduces their need to sign two forwards, despite the exit of Alexandre Lacazette, who will likely join Lyon.
Since Arsenal expected to qualify for the Champions League, Arteta planned an elaborate summer window with at least seven signings. However, their fifth-placed finish and the prospect of playing UEFA Europa League football next term may have made the Arsenal manager reconsider his ideas, as the club might now reportedly sign only three new players.
One of them is a midfielder, with Arsenal preparing an offer for Youri Tielemans. The other could be a new left-back, with Oleksandr Zonchenk and Bologna’s Aaron Hickey linked with a move. Finally, Arsenal could close the window by signing Jesus, as Arteta prepares his side for next season.
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Bringing in Jesus would still need some work, as Arsenal and Manchester City will have to reach an agreement over the transfer fee. While £55 million demand is unreasonable, Arsenal will be hoping to close the deal around the reported £40 million mark, which would still be incredible for a 25-year-old, Premier League-experienced forward.
