Arsenal transfer news: Arsenal and Man City agree price for Gabriel Jesus

The Brazilian is a wanted man 

This article was initially published on June 12 and later updated on June 28 following the publication of new information.

Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus has completed his medical in London ahead of a move to Arsenal, according to reports. The Brazil international has been heavily linked with departure from the Premier League champions and such rumours picked up steam ahead of official confirmation from both clubs. According to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs, the 25-year-old talent completed his medical ahead of a £45 million (€52m) move to Arsenal and the signing is set to be announed this week. The striker is set to depart the Etihad since his side signed Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and playing time was put under considerable threat. 

Back in May, the agent of the Man City talent revealed that he had spoken to Arsenal about a summer move and that the player could be tempted by a move to London in the coming months. However, at the time, the Gunners were just one of seven clubs interested in the Brazil international. Jesus has been a regular first team player in Pep Guardiola’s squad since he made the £28.8m move to Man City from Palmeiras in 2017, but the forward has never been able to nail down a regular, starting role in the English champions’ starting XI. He now has just over a year left on his current deal at the club and is valued at £45 million. 

The recent confirmation of Man City’s signing of Haaland has undoubtedly now threatened Jesus’ standing at the club and hope of game time next season, which had prompted the player’s agent to openly discuss a move away from the club in the summer transfer window. 

“We had talks with Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus,” said Jesus’ agent, Marcelo Pettinati, according to the Guardian. “We like the project – it’s a possibility we’re discussing. There are six more clubs interested in Gabriel. He’s focused on the final games with Man City; we’ll see.” So could Jesus be about to swap Manchester for London?

Available and willing – but is he a smart Lacazette replacement? 

Although Jesus has never been a regular starter at Man City, the player has managed to put together a decent record at the Etihad over the past five years as a consistent creator and scorer of goals. From no less than 234 games for the club, the Brazilian forward has picked up an impressive 95 goals and 46 assists. And in the Premier League that figure stands at 58 goals and 32 assists in 157 appearances. 

It’s with that record in mind that Arsenal have surely now been encouraged to make a move for the forward. Especially considering the fact that they have already lost No.9 Alexandre Lacazette, when who made a free transfer to Lyon when his contract expired. And in many ways Jesus would be an upgrade on the French striker. 

For example, Lacazette’s record in the Premier League stands at 54 goals and 30 assists in 155 games and averages out at 0.74 goals and assists per 90 minutes. In comparison, Jesus’ average in the English top flight works out at 0.89 goals and assists per 90. Which is extremely encouraging since the Brazilian is still five years younger than the Arsenal striker. And would likely be an excellent, long-term replacement. 

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