Transfer insider Gianluca Di Marzio has stated that Gabriel Jesus’ departure from Manchester City to Arsenal in the summer is unlikely to happen.
Jesus is set to end his five-year relationship with Man City in the summer. The 25-year-old Brazilian has been used in different attacking roles in his time at the club, but has been unable to consistently nail down a starting berth.
He is currently enjoying the best form of his time at the club, having scored seven goals in his last six games for City, one of which was a four-goal rampage against Norwich City.
City are plotting the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and look to be on the verge of completing a deal for the Norwegian. This could further complicate Jesus’ chances at the club, and the striker is aware of this fact.
It was reported recently that City have set an asking price of £40 million for the forward and Arsenal are the most interested club. The Gunners are looking for strikers to replace Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette who will be leaving the Emirates in the season, leaving them without any first team strikers.
Alongside Jesus, Victor Osimhen of Napoli, former Chelsea man Tammy Abraham and Brentford’s Ivan Toney are targets for the Gunners. Jesus, however, is believed to be the key target for Arsenal in the summer.
Di Marzio, speaking to FourFourTwo, claimed that Jesus’ current form is changing minds at City. The Italian journalist also noted that they will need a backup striker for Haaland and since they have Jesus, they are unlikely to let him leave.
“They still need another striker. A different type of striker. Haaland is a different type. He (Gabriel Jesus) will stay because it’s difficult to find a player like him. Manchester City doesn’t need to sell a player in order to get funds to buy another player. They have the possibility to buy all the players they want,” Di Marzio said.
The journalist also noted that Jesus, who has a contract until 2023, will have to make the final call on if he will remain at the club beyond this season.
“It depends on Gabriel Jesus in the end and if he is okay with playing less with Haaland coming. It depends on his attitude, knowing another incredible striker like Haaland will arrive,” he added.
Di Marzio also spoke about this season’s marquee signing at City, Jack Grealish. The Englishman cost £100 million but has not been able to nail a starting berth in Pep Guardiola’s team either. Di Marzio compared Haaland’s potential arrival and Grealish’s, claiming that the Norwegian may not even get in the side immediately.
“When Jack Grealish arrived last year for £100m, Gabriel Jesus stayed, and now he’s playing and Grealish is on the bench.” Di Marzio said. “So nobody knows if Haaland will arrive and play immediately, and be one of the ‘untouchable’ strikers of Guardiola.
“You never know with him (Pep Guardiola). If you don’t do the right tactical movements that Guardiola wants, then you stay on the bench.”
“I think Gabriel Jesus is in the perfect situation now in Guardiola’s system. He understands, probably for the first time, what Guardiola is asking him to do.”
