Gabriel Jesus has responded publicly to the reports linking him to Arsenal by stressing that he’s currently focusing on finishing the season.
Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal in recent days, and he’s now been asked about the prospect of a transfer.
“Not time to think about this,” Jesus answered. “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 focused on my teammates to fight for the Premier League.
“It’s not just me (who wants to play more), the players. If you ask the players about playing everyone wants to play.”
Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail and Fabrizio Romano both reported in the last few days that Gabriel Jesus is expected to leave Manchester City this summer. That has been the plan for months now, as City prepare to sign Erling Haaland.
Gaughan adds that Jesus wants to prove himself as a no. 9, after playing out wide quite a lot for City this season. Combine that with the addition of Haaland and you can see why the striker might be keen to leave.
Jorge Nicola reports that Arsenal are offering Jesus a €6m annual salary, a significant wage increase for the Brazilian international.
Nicola was the one to initially break the Jesus-to-Arsenal story, reporting on his YouTube channel that Arsenal were in very advanced talks over a transfer.
Technical director Edu is in charge of negotiations, and Nicola claimed Edu has even reached an agreement with the player’s agent.
All sources agree there’s no deal or negotiations with Manchester City yet.
However, Arsenal442 report that there’s a desire from all parties to complete a deal, and a clear perception between Arsenal and City about the value of a transfer – even before negotiations get underway in earnest.
David Ornstein of The Athletic reported that Arsenal are indeed exploring the possibility of signing Jesus, and talks between Edu and Jesus’ camp have taken place for a number of months now. Jesus is open to the prospect.
“I want to tell you something; Gabriel is our player,” Guardiola said at the weekend. “I don’t know what is going to happen, but he is a Man City player.
“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 and I don’t care.
“We have less than one month. My only concern is that the players will do everything to try and win, after that no one knows what will happen.”
Jesus has 11 goals and 12 assists in 35 games for City this season, a goal contribution every 90 minutes.