Arsenal are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing wantaway Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City in the upcoming summer transfer window.
According to The Athletic, Brazilian starlet, Gabriel Jesus is set to leave Manchester City in the summer, and Arsenal are said to be the favourites to secure the striker’s signature. The Gunners have already established contact with Jesus’s agent as talks are said to have been going on for some months, and the 25-year-old is said to be receptive to the switch.
Since joining the club from Palmeiras in 2017, Jesus has proved to be a key asset for Pep Guardiola’s side over recent years, registering 93 goals and 46 assists in 230 outings, helping Manchester City win a whole host of trophies, including three Premier League titles, three EFL Cups and the FA Cup.
Despite the fact that City have been without a recognised striker for a long time, Jesus has never quite established himself as a regular starter at the Etihad. Pep Guardiola’s preference for a false-nine setup also impacted the amount of game-time Jesus received, as he has often been left on the bench with Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, Riyad Mahrez, and Jack Grealish preferred.
Despite this, Jesus has made 35 appearances in all competitions this term and has produced a return of 11 goals and 12 assists. But Erling Haaland’s imminent signing and the impending arrival of Julian Alvarez would further dent Jesus’s prospects of getting regular minutes at Manchester City.
Gabriel Jesus will leave Man City in the summer, the plan is clear since months as they're working on Haaland deal and contract expires in 2023. ?? #MCFC
Arsenal interest is confirmed and serious, as per @jorgenicola @David_Ornstein – but still no bid/direct talks between clubs. pic.twitter.com/akinrtEy7i
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 23, 2022
Jesus’s contract runs until 2023, but with the Brazilian forward pushing for a ticket on the plane to Qatar for the World Cup later this year, a desire for more consistent game time may force his exit from the Etihad.
As such, there seems to be no shortage of suitors interested in Jesus’s talents, with the likes of Barcelona, Juventus, and Borussia Dortmund all being credited with an interest in the Brazilian international. Now, Arsenal have also joined the bandwagon as manager Mikel Arteta looks for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s replacement at the Emirates.
With Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to leave as free agents at the end of the season, the Arsenal coach is looking to bring in two strikers for next season. A number of names have been linked with a move to the Emirates, including Darwin Nunez, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Alexander Isak. However, the latest name emerging on the Gunners’ radar is Gabriel Jesus.
Arteta knows Jesus from their time together at Manchester City, where the Spaniard worked as Pep Guardiola’s assistant before assuming charge at the Emirates. The versatile attacker would arrive at Arsenal with apt Premier League experience and undoubted quality.
Jesus would provide a more direct threat, relieving the goal-scoring burden off the young shoulders of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, while the Manchester City forward’s ability to operate anywhere across the frontline would allow Arsenal to create a fluid attack.
