Arsenal have reached an agreement with Manchester City over Gabriel Jesus as they look to sign their first-choice striker target this summer.
The Brazilian is one of the top names on Mikel Arteta’s wish list after he made signing a striker a priority over the transfer window. The losses of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette have left the Gunners light up front.
A number of players had been linked including Victor Osimhen, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tammy Abraham but Jesus was always the main priority. Arteta knows the player well from his time as Pep Guardiola’s assistant coach.
And according to The Athletic, an agreement has finally been reached with City over a fee for Jesus for £45million. Chelsea had also been interested in the 25-year-old, though it is believed that their prime target is Raheem Sterling.
Tottenham were linked with the forward but never looked too keen on the player with Antonio Conte targeting other areas of his squad over up front – where Harry Kane looks set to stay. The two north London teams look the most active in the transfer window so far after Yves Bissouma was signed from Brighton.
Jesus now looks on course to become the fourth arrival at the Emirates after Marquinhos, Matt Turner and Fabio Vieira. Arteta is still keen on another striker but will be over the moon if he can land his top target.
The former Palmeiras star is keen to leave City this summer after the signings of Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez. Both are set to nudge Jesus further down the pecking order.
He only has one year left on his contract – which means that the Premier League champions either had to sell this summer or risk losing him for nothing next year. Guardiola did not want to let Jesus go despite the situation.
The Brazil international signed for City in 2016 and has gone on to make 159 appearances in the Premier League. During that time, he has scored 58 times and provided 32 assists – winning four titles.