Manchester City have rejected a bid from Paris Saint-Germain for Gabriel Jesus as Pep Guardiola refuses to allow the Brazilian striker to leave this summer, according to Globo.
PSG have explored signing Jesus as they seek a replacement for Kylian Mbappe at the Parc des Princes. Negotiations with Real Madrid over potentially selling the Frenchman are likely to kick into overdrive ahead of Tuesday’s transfer deadline.
Reports by Marca even suggest Mbappe could become Los Blancos President Florentino Perez’s latest Galactico signing as soon as Friday. Real Madrid have offered €170m (£145m) plus €10m (£8.5m) in add-ons for the 2018 World Cup winner and 2022 free-agent.
However, Guardiola blocked Paris Saint-Germain from signing Jesus as he refuses to see the striker leave Manchester City. The Etihad Stadium boss also told Juventus the 24-year-old would not feature in any deal to sign Cristiano Ronaldo during their recent discussions.
PSG Director of Football Leonardo has alternatives in mind after missing out on Manchester City forward Jesus, though. ESPN report the Brazilian wants his compatriot Richarlison and the Everton forward’s representatives have already travelled to Paris for talks.
Additionally, The Telegraph report Paris Saint-Germain have sounded out their chances of signing Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund this summer. Les Parisiens have spoken with the Norwegian’s agent, Mino Raiola, as Everton refuse to sell Richarlison.
PSG have not bid for Haaland, who BVB are adamantly against losing, but will if Raiola gives enough encouragement. Manchester City were also interested in signing Haaland this summer, with BBC Sport reporting he was Guardiola’s top-target to replace Sergio Aguero.
Manchester City pursued Harry Kane instead, per The Athletic, before turning to Ronaldo, and will now likely rely on Jesus.
Should Manchester City have sold Jesus to PSG?
With Manchester City pulling the plug on a deal for Ronaldo, per Sky Sports, Guardiola will need PSG target Jesus. The Citizens boss could not afford to part with the Brazilian, given he is the Spaniard’s only recognised senior striker.
Yet Jesus was a substitute on the opening day of the Premier League season as Manchester City lost to Tottenham. Guardiola then fielded the 47-cap international on the right-wing – where the £27m signing plays for Brazil – against Norwich last weekend.
Jesus provided two assists from the flank as the Citizens ran out 5-0 victors. After which, Guardiola lauded the £90,000-per-week forward, via the Manchester City website: “That’s one of the reasons why I’m a manager – the best moments are when you can work with people and humans like Gabriel.”
Guardiola has previously praised the Brazilian’s overall influence, too. The Manchester City boss said after beating Wolves 4-1 in March: “We know he is not in the statistical highlights, but what he does is amazing. Today he scored two goals for the team. Strikers live for the goal. But how many assists has he done? He was brilliant, like he has been all season.”
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