Arsenal could finally be making headway in their pursuit of a forward in the upcoming summer window with reports suggesting that they are in advanced talks with Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus.
That comes from Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola and cited by Sport Witness, with Nicola claiming that Arsenal is in ‘very advanced talks’ for the 25-year-old Brazilian international while on his YouTube channel.
Arsenal are in advanced talks to sign Man City striker Gabriel Jesus. Edu Gaspar has been leading the negotiations. Everything is agreed between the player and Arsenal. [@jorgenicola via @Sport_Witness]
— Z (@ZRAFC) April 22, 2022
Jesus was widely expected to leave City this summer after failing to truly nail down a spot at the Etihad where he is viewed as a key piece of the front three, and that status was not set to change as Pep Guardiola’s outfit is closing on a deal for Borussia Dortmund starlet Erling Haaland.
A move to Arsenal would make quite a bit of sense for both club and player on the surface at the very least, however, with Mikel Arteta’s Gunners in desperate need of attacking reinforcements this summer.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City reacts after misses a chance during The Emirates FA Cup Semi-Final match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on April 16, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
Both Alexandre Lacazette and Hale End academy graduate Eddie Nketiah are expected to depart the club come the end of the season, leaving the north London giants without a single senior center-forward apart from the returning Folarin Balogun.
But the way Arsenal is set up at a tactical level could certainly help Jesus settle to life at the Emirates if a movie is finalized, in an attacking system that can draw parallels with what Guardiola has built at City.
Arteta has also directly worked with Jesus, who arrived at City back in January of 2017 while the current Arsenal boss was an assistant under Guardiola, and could certainly count on the Brazilian’s tactical versatility to fill a number of needs that Arsenal is sure to have given the likelihood of them securing European football next season.
The loss of two center forwards in the summer, as well as the possibility that Ivorian star Nicolas Pépé could also head for the exit door, means that a deal for Jesus could be a smart piece of business given the player’s capability to slot into a number 9 role as well as on the right-wing and as a second-striker.
A successful move for him, in conjunction with perhaps another center-forward to officially lead the line, would tackle both issues regarding quality and depth that the club must prioritize in the summer. Though Nicola is not viewed as entirely reliable, this is still a potential move worth watching.
