Arsenal are close to securing a new striker after reaching an agreement with Manchester City over Gabriel Jesus. After the two teams agreed on a transfer fee of around $55 million, the player and the London club reached an agreement on personal terms, according to Fabrizio Romano, football pundit at CBS Sports. His contract is expected to last until the summer of 2027.
It has been a busy summer for Arsenal as Jesus becomes their third summer signing along with Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira. Matt Turner has also officially joined the New England Revolution. If things work out, Jesus will be reunited with Mikel Arteta, who was Manchester City’s assistant coach from 2016 to 2019, when he joined Arsenal. Jesus’ familiarity with Arteta and route to the starting eleven helped them overcome Arsenal, who were unable to provide football in the Champions League.
The Gunners are still in contention to close more deals as they go after Raphinha and Youri Tielemans. After collapsing in the final stretch, Arteta’s squad will be reinforced with the expectation of ensuring Champions League football this season. Arsenal have already released Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette, while signing Eddie Nketiah to a contract extension.
Manchester City found Jesus to be over the top after adding significant firepower in Erdling Haaland and Julian Alvarez to bolster the attack. With another year left on his contract, City will be able to capitalize on Jesus, who made 236 appearances in total for the club, scoring 95 goals and assisting a further 37. Even after Jesus found limited minutes for him, he managed to produce for City, but leading the line at Arsenal will be a more difficult proposition.
By familiarity, Arteta already knows what awaits him and Jesús must have excellent service in the area from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe, Vieira and whoever else lines up in attack. Among forwards, Jesus was ninth in interceptions, despite playing fewer minutes than most of the players in front of him. A willing pusher, Jesus will fit right into Arsenal’s style and finish his chances better than Lacazette.
While Chelsea and Tottenham were also interested, the opportunity for more playing time outweighed the lack of Champions League football. Instead, Arsenal will be among the favorites to win the Europa League and that counts for something. Jesus’ place for Brazil should not be in jeopardy ahead of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
It’s certainly a lot of money for Arsenal to spend on a striker, but Jesus was probably the most tried and tested striker in his rank. Jonathan David was another name they were linked with, but a less than stellar end to the season saw him score just three goals in 2022, causing interest to drop. Given the adaptation to play in the Premier League and the price that Lille would want, adding David would be a much riskier proposition.
Knowing that Jesus can do that in the Premier League is worth the tax imposed by Manchester City. Arteta, who has coached Jesus in the past and his ability to play wingers, only sweetens the deal. But with the amount of money Arsenal have already put on the transfer table, it is now or never for Arteta to prove that he is the man for the job.
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