Arsenal are closing in on a deal for Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City – but it might not be quite as simple to complete as first thought.
The Gunners have been linked with the Brazilian forward for a few weeks, with Alexandre Lacazette's exit from the club after six years in north London having been confirmed by the player himself and Arsenal.
Eddie Nketiah is now expected to stay, having completed a u-turn on his future following contract talks stalling – but manager Mikel Arteta's top target Jesus might still have concerns about moving to the Emirates Stadium, according to one transfer guru in the know.
"I understand Gabriel Jesus wants to play more, wants to stay in a team that wants to have him as an important striker of the team – and Man City will have to sell players because they have to buy other players," Gianluca Di Marzio said, speaking to wettfreunde. "If I have to choose for him, Arsenal would be perfect because Arsenal has a new project. They need to have a striker like him."
"They're not playing the Champions League so this could be a problem for Gabriel Jesus. He is a Champions League player. He played very well in the Champions League with Man City."
"If I was Gabriel Jesus I will stay in Man City. I think even if Haaland is coming, he will play a lot. Guardiola loves him ."
"It depends on what he wants to do. If he wants to be the only striker of the team or if he wants to be in the team that can win the Champions League.”
Arsenal have recently been linked with Italian forward Gianluca Scamacca as an alternative to Jesus, while rumours of Bayern Munich winger Serge Gnabry returning to the club he left persist.
Jesus is valued at £45 million by Transfermarkt.
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Arsenal have been linked with one Borussia Dortmund star whose contract is up in 2023 – and he doesn't look likely to renew.
The rumour mill is going into overdrive over who Arsenal will bring in to fill the centre-forward spot in the team next season. Tammy Abraham has been heavily linked since last summer with those whispers refusing to go away, Ivan Toney has entered the frame as an option, while "the new Thierry Henry" has been touted.
Gabriel Jesus is a big rumour doing the rounds right now, as is Darwin Nunez, who Manchester United are reportedly closer to signing. Another Brazilian wonderkid is also apparently in talks.
