Arsenal fans will be hoping for a statement summer transfer window this off season as they edge close to securing their Champions League spot. A number of big names are being linked to the club, with Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus’ rumours continuing to swirl.
The Gunners are in need of a top-class striker after allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join La Liga giants Barcelona in January and Manchester City frontman Gabriel Jesus in one name on the club’s wishlist, football.london understands. The 25-year-old has struggled for consistent game time in Pep Guardiola’s starting XI this term and although he has hit a purple patch of late he could be tempted to leave for more opportunities, according to recent reports.
With that in mind, football.london takes a look at all the latest on the transfer saga including his asking price, the stance of Gunners technical director Edu and the impact of Erling Haaland’s move to the Etihad Stadium.
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Man City set price
City are reportedly demand a fee in the region of £42million in order for Arsenal to acquire Jesus this summer. The transfer price has risen after his impressive run of recent form. The Brazilian forward has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal this summer.
According to Fichajes, City could sell Jesus in the next transfer window with the club confirming on Tuesday that Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland will join on July 1 providing personal terms are agreed. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta previously worked with Jesus whilst he was on the coaching staff at City and is believed to be keen on bringing him to the Emirates.
The 25-year-old has largely been a peripheral figure since joining the club in the summer of 2016, often playing second fiddle to Sergio Aguero. However, City boss Pep Guardiola has selected the Brazilian to start in a number of high profile matches recently including both legs of their Champions League semi final against Real Madrid. Guardiola has also deployed Jesus on the right wing for large parts of the last 18 months, with Jesus’ reportedly wanting to play as a centre forward – a position he’d certainly take at Arsenal.
Jesus top of Arsenal wishlist and expected to move
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now reported that Mikel Arteta and Co have placed the 25-year-old on the top of their wishlist after ‘direct contract’ with the player. Writing on Twitter, Romano said: “Arsenal have Gabriel Jesus on top of their list after new direct contacts on player side.
“He’s expected to leave Manchester City after Haaland deal, no direct contacts between clubs yet.”
Haaland implication
Erling Haaland’s transfer to Manchester City was announced on Tuesday evening, a move that could impact Arsenal’s pursuit of Jesus according to transfer guru David Ornstein. Speaking on Sky Sports last month, he said: “Manchester City have got a bit of an issue there because they’re trying to bring in Erling Haaland and they’ve got Julian Alvarez too coming from River by the looks of it.
“So there’s a very good chance Gabriel Jesus will leave. He’s out of contract in 2023.
“We’re not aware of any new contract talks being on the horizon and Arsenal are very interested. They have held talks through their technical director Edu, via Gabriel Jesus’s representatives, who they know very well from Edu’s time at Corinthians where he was technical director in Brazil.”
Potential U-turn?
Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that City boss Pep Guardiola may decide to keep hold of Jesus even if the Citizens bring Erling Haaland to the club this summer. “Seeing him (Jesus) playing against Real Madrid, I don’t think Guardiola will allow him to leave, even if they sign Haaland. Which they will, because they are very, very close,” Di Marzio told wettfreunde.
“They still need another striker. A different type of striker. Haaland is a different type. He (Gabriel Jesus) will stay because it’s difficult to find a player like him. Manchester City doesn’t need to sell a player in order to get funds to buy another player. They have the possibility to buy all the players they want.
“It depends on Gabriel Jesus in the end and if he is okay with playing less with Haaland coming. It depends on his attitude, knowing another incredible striker like Haaland will arrive.”
Henry admission
With the transfer window just a matter of months away, Thierry Henry has delivered his verdict on what Jesus can offer a manager: “What he can give offensively to the team,” Henry told CBS Sports, as cited by HITC. “We saw that he scored four goals at the weekend [in the 5-1 win over Watford]. When he is in the box, he’s one of the three that is playing, or since Aguero left, he has that nine instinct. He has what the No. 9 would smell.
“What I like with him is that when he puts pressure, whether it’s on the left, on the right or in the middle, he doesn’t have a problem to defend in them situations by coming back and helping his team.”
Henry’s words suggest that he would be more than happy if his former club were to get a deal done for Jesus over the summer. There could still a long way to go, however, with what feels like the beginning of a transfer saga.
Read more here.
.Jesus speaks out
Jesus has refused to speak about his future at the Etihad Stadium following recent reports linking him with a summer move to the north London outfit. “Not time to think about this,” he said when quizzed about leaving Pep Guardiola’s side.
“You expect me to say this, and it’s true. Not time to think about this, now is the best moment of the season.
“I want to enjoy it, keep focussed on my teammates to fight for the Premier League. I’ve won with my teammates three times already, so I know how it feels, and I want to again.
“We have a tough game on Tuesday against Real Madrid, a tough opponent. That’s my focus.”
Edu talks
football.london understands that City forward Jesus and Roma frontman Tammy Abraham are among the shortlisted profiles who could arrive at Emirates Stadium this summer. Jesus, in particular, remains open to leaving the current Premier League champions, with his representative holding talks with Edu throughout the past few months.
Read more here.
Guardiola speaks out on Jesus’ future
Following Jesus’ first Premier League four-goal haul against Watford on Saturday, April 23, Guardiola spoke about the speculation on Jesus’ future.
The City manager said: “I want to tell you something; Gabriel [Jesus] is our player. I don’t know what is going to happen, but he is a Man City player. When he has days like today, I am the happiest man in the world!
“Every player is happy when they play 90 minutes all the time, but at the end of the season, whether he wants to extend, stay or leave, I don’t know or don’t care. We have less than one month. My only concern is the players will do everything to try and win, after that, no one knows what will happen.
“If one person in the world deserves nights like this, it’s him. There is no one on the backroom staff or who knows him that isn’t happy for him. When you are so positive and generous as he is in every way, life and football can reward you.
“When he has situations like this, we’re happy for him because he’s so generous. It doesn’t matter what position he’s in, we know how he fights for his mates. He’s fantastic.”
What Jesus has said about Arteta
Jesus gave his verdict on the manager when he made the move to Arsenal in late 2019. He said: “He’s helped a lot of players. When I want to do finishing after training, I tell him, and he comes and helps me.
“So he is really fantastic for us. All the players know that — everyone knows that in the club. He is a fantastic guy and a fantastic manager. I don’t honestly know what he thinks about his career, that is for him. I hope he can find his way, and I hope he can be happy.”
Arsenal explore Jesus possibility
As per the Athletic, Arsenal are looking to strengthen their attack in the upcoming market, and Jesus is one potential acquisition. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton’s 25-year-old striker, is also among the options being considered.
Source by Football London
