Arsenal are reportedly in advanced talks with Manchester City to close the Gabriel Jesus deal, with a five-year contract reportedly on the table.
According to Brazilian outlet UOL, Arsenal are in advanced discussions with Manchester City over a deal for Gabriel Jesus. The Gunners are reportedly willing to offer €50 million to the Premier League champions and a five-year contract to the Brazilian international as they inch closer to completing an agreement.
Gabriel Jesus was a candidate to leave Manchester City last summer when the club relentlessly pursued Harry Kane to become their first choice No.9. They failed to convince Tottenham to do a deal for the England captain, who remained at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which convinced the Brazilian to stay put at the Etihad.
While Jesus has been deployed in all three positions of a front-three this season, he has excelled in a central striker role. His late-season goalscoring form for Manchester City is a testament to his qualities, which continues to bring the interest of many clubs, including Arsenal.
Jesus has a year left on his contract, and after Manchester City announced the agreement to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, the Brazilian is primed to depart from the Etihad. Arsenal have been interested in reaching an agreement with the Brazilian international, and things have advanced since the initial contact with his agent.
Exclusive. Gabriel Jesus agent Marcelo Pettinati tells me: “We had talks with Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus, we like the project – it’s a possibility we’re discussing”. ??? #AFC
“There are 6 more clubs interested in Gabriel – he’s focused on final games with Man City, we’ll see”. pic.twitter.com/kEHF2LqAdC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 11, 2022
The Gunners were initially willing to pay much lower than €50 million, but owing to Jesus’s performances in the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League, Manchester City are demanding more for the Brazil international. Arsenal are reportedly in advanced talks with their domestic counterparts and remain hopeful of reaching an agreement worth €50 million.
Manchester City also have to factor in a percentage of the sale to former side Palmeiras, which they are looking to add up in the potential fees they receive. Hence the Premier League leaders are demanding €60 million from Arsenal, although both clubs are likely to reach an agreement for a lower sum.
Jesus is reportedly open to joining Arsenal, while his agent’s recent comments over liking the current project at the Emirates indicates they favour a move to north London.
Mikel Arteta has been in the market for a top-class centre-forward as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette, who will depart in the summer. Arsenal hope to re-sign Eddie Nketiah to a new deal and add Jesus to the mix.
Arteta knows Jesus very well from his days as Pep Guardiola’s assistant manager at Manchester City, and technical director Edu also has close relationships with the striker following his time with the CBF. Hence, talks have gone smoothly, with Arsenal tabling a five-year contract for the Brazilian international.
Manchester City’s potential €60 million demand could still prove a minor problem for the Gunners, who could argue at his contract length remaining at the club. Overall, the expectation is that the deal will be closed imminently, and Jesus could be playing for the north Londoners next season.