Arsenal are growing increasingly confident that a deal to take Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City can be done in this summer transfer window.
Earlier this week, the north London giants announced the signing of Marquinhos from Sao Paulo—their first acquisition of the window. They are believed to be closing in on the signing of Fabio Vieira from FC Porto too.
And the Gunners are understood to have already discussed a move with Gabriel Jesus’ entourage, as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his forward options.
Jesus, 25, helped Manchester City to their fourth Premier League title under Pep Guardiola last campaign by contributing to 17 league goals. However, following the Cityzens’ big-money acquisition of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund, the Brazilian international is keen to leave the club this summer in a bid to establish himself as the first-choice striker elsewhere.
Despite the 25-year-old entering the final year of his contract at the Etihad Stadium, Man City value him at £50m. Arsenal have seen an opening bid of £30m rejected by City last week but they are poised to increase their offer, which could be close to the English champions’ valuation of their striker.
Gabriel Jesus keen to reunite with Mikel Arteta
Gabriel Jesus is one of Mikel Arteta’s top focuses after the signing of Marquinhos and the potential capture of Fabio Vieira, with the idea being that the striker would help Arsenal replace the departed Alexandre Lacazette, who re-joined Lyon after his contract at the Emirates Stadium expired earlier this month.
Eddie Nketiah’s contract extension means the Gunners have a young striker with loads of potential, but the experience and the winning mentality of Jesus would make Arteta’s attack more potent. The Brazilian international is open to moving to the Emirates Stadium and is understood to be keen on reuniting with Arteta.
Regardless of Man City adding Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to their strike force this summer, Guardiola is trying his best to keep hold of Jesus. In fact, the Mancunian outfit have offered him a new deal, but the 25-year-old has seemingly set his heart on a move to Arsenal.
Jesus would lift Arsenal’s attack to another level
Jesus’ flexibility and efficiency to play across the front-line will be invaluable for Arsenal. In Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, the north Londoners are blessed with a pair of two outstanding young wingers that entire Europe crave. Add Jesus to lead their line and Arteta’s attack could have a formidable look next season.
A Premier League-proven commodity with best years certainly ahead of him, Jesus would provide Arsenal with the cutting edge in the final third which they thoroughly lacked last season. All in all, the Brazilian would be a great fit for Arteta’s project at the Emirates Stadium.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
