Gabriel Jesus confirms Arsenal exit plan amid Everton transfer links

Gabriel Jesus has been linked with a move away from Arsenal in recent weeks, with the Brazilian forward keen to return to former club Palmeiras

Gabriel Jesus has opened up about his ambition to rejoin former club Palmeiras, though an Arsenal departure isn’t imminent. The Brazilian striker arrived at Emirates Stadium from Manchester City in 2022.

The Gunners splashed out £45million to secure Jesus’ services, but persistent injury setbacks have limited him to just 96 appearances since his arrival, netting 26 goals.

Jesus has consistently been the subject of transfer speculation linking him with moves away from Arsenal, with Everton the most recent club mentioned – though Arsenal will reject any approaches from their Premier League counterparts.

Jesus, 28, has now addressed his future and stated that he wishes to return to former club Palmeiras, but only at the appropriate moment.

He said: “I’ve never had contact with another club, and my desire, as I say, is to return to Palmeiras, and Palmeiras’ desire is for me to return to Palmeiras.

“When I feel it’s time to return to Palmeiras, I’ll decide that with Arsenal, but we’re talking about a player who’s been out for nine months and is now fighting to get back into the team, and there are journalists who are talking without any basis whatsoever.”

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has outlined his position on Jesus’ future and confirmed he wants to retain him.

He said: “[He is] a player that is very unpredictable, full of energy, super competitive, a player that comes from a context of difficulty in the last few seasons for various nasty injuries.

“So the level of hunger and desire that he’s going to bring to the team is going to be amazing.

“So I’m thrilled to have him, I think he’s going to add something extra to the team that we don’t have and make sure that very soon we see him on that pitch making an impact for the team.

“We haven’t had them [all fit] and now we don’t have Viktor, and we haven’t had Kai again for three months or many forwards, and unfortunately that’s becoming something that consistently is happening. So we need those options, and what an option to have with Gabi.”

Jesus began his professional journey with Brazilian outfit Palmeiras, netting 28 times in 83 outings before securing a £27million move to Man City.

The striker helped the Citizens claim four Premier League crowns, an FA Cup triumph and three Carabao Cup victories, finding the net 95 times across 236 matches in all competitions.