Ray Parlour thinks Arsenal would make a ‘statement’ by signing someone like Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, as he told talkSPORT Breakfast.
The Highbury legend added that Arsenal are capable of paying Jesus’ wages, especially given that Alexandre Lacazette will be off the wage bill this month.
The French striker, whose contract expires at the end of this month, is heading back to familiar shores and signing for Lyon.
Before Lacazette decided to leave, Mikel Arteta needed another number nine, so now that one of his senior stars is gone, it now makes it even more paramount that someone is brought in.
And this is what Parlour had to say about the prospect of Jesus joining Arsenal’s Europa League ship.
“I should imagine they could (pay Jesus’s wages),” said Parlour. “Lacazette was probably on £200k-a-week. That’s top of their list, from Edu, to get the right man in.
“That would be a statement from Arsenal if they can get the right man in.”
EUROPA LEAGUE FOOTBALL COULD COST ARSENAL
Given that the Gunners aren’t in the Champions League, it may well bite them in the back when it comes to transfers.
Someone like Jesus is a four-time Premier League winner, playing in the biggest of games, winning trophies and competing in the Champions League.
The Gunners aren’t at that level yet, so they have to be pretty persuasive to lure the Brazil international to the capital – the £50 million star could be leaving following Erling Haaland’s arrival.
Arteta did work with Jesus at the Etihad, so that past relationship helps, but either way, Arsenal needed that number nine to be through their doors by the time pre-season kicks off next month.
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