Goal Brasil claim Arsenal have seen a bid of £43m rejected by Manchester City for Gabriel Jesus – with the Premier League champions wanting £51million. Tottenham are also said to be in the mix for the Brazil international.
Jesus, 25, is likely to be leaving Pep Guardiola’s side this summer. His contract ends in June 2023, meaning City have this summer to bring in some cash for his signature. Arsenal and Spurs are the front runners.
It is an intriguing battle. Arsenal do not have Champions League football like Spurs, but they do have the need for a striker. Spurs need a no.9, but whoever that is will have to be happy sitting as back-up to Harry Kane.
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Now, Goal report that Arsenal were £8million shy of Manchester City’s asking price. But the hammer blow for the Gunners is that Jesus is not particularly keen on a move to The Emirates – due to a lack of Champions League football.
Earlier reports claim that Tottenham lodged a £40 million offer for striker last week. Meanwhile, Arsenal are ready to try and convince Jesus with a move to North London – by offering £190,000 a week.
Arsenal have £43m bid rejected for Jesus: Advantage Tottenham?
Arsenal are hardly out of the running. A fee of £43million is a fair offer but with City wanting closer to £51million, a compromise should be easy to iron out. But the stance of Jesus does swing things in favour of Spurs.
Would he want to join Antonio Conte’s side? He would need to be given huge assurances that he is going to feature every week, even if it is from the bench. Conte might even have to consider a 3-5-2 system.
A 3-4-1-2 formation could also be a consideration. Kane given a free role and Son Heung-min partnering Jesus up top. Time will tell. But Spurs need a striker and Jesus wants Champions League football.
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