Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal transfer: Personal terms ‘agreed’, £51m price, agent admission

Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus continues to be heavily linked with a summer move to Arsenal.

The Gunners need to bring in at least one centre-forward in the summer transfer window after allowing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to join Barcelona back in January, whilst fellow frontman Alexandre Lacazette is also set to leave at the end of the month. Jesus is one name on the club’s shortlist football.london understands, and the player may be keen to move on given City’s recent acquisition of young forward Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund.

Recent reports have suggested he could be willing to move to north London in search of regular minutes. football.london has now taken a look at all the latest on the transfer saga as rumours begin to heat up on a potential move for the talented Brazilian.

READ MORE: Arsenal defender set for European loan spell as first deal of summer transfer window is decided

Person terms ‘agreed’

Arsenal have agreed on personal terms with Jesus, according to Football Insider. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a reunion with Arteta, having played under him at Manchester City when he was assistant manager.

Jesus gave his verdict on the Spanish manager when he made a move to Arsenal in late 2019. He said: “He’s helped a lot of players. When I want to do finishing after training, I tell him, and he comes and helps me.

“So he is really fantastic for us. All the players know that — everyone knows that in the club. He is a fantastic guy and a fantastic manager. I don’t honestly know what he thinks about his career, that is for him. I hope he can find his way, and I hope he can be happy.”

Arsenal willing to significantly increase salary

According to the Sun, Jesus is also on the radar for clubs in Spain and Italy, but Arsenal are understood to be offering better terms, worth a basic £190,000-a-week plus bonuses.

That would be a major increase on his £110,000 City salary, and he also had a successful relationship with Mikel Arteta when the Arsenal boss was Pep Guardiola’s assistant.

Deal ‘very close’ as Edu plans £51m move

Brazilian journalist Rodrigo Oliveira has told Calciomercato.it, via Sport Witness, that Arsenal are close to signing Gabriel Jesus:

“Many top clubs are on Gabriel Jesus, but the one in pole position is Arsenal,” he said. “The player wants to leave Manchester City. Jesus is very close to signing with the Gunners. He is very suited to English football and wants to stay in England, and Arsenal want to make a good offer, so Arsenal will probably take on Gabriel Jesus, who lost space with Brazil in the recent months.

“Many players have overtaken him in the hierarchy [national team], which is why he wants to stay in England. At the same time, Arsenal are ready to make a great offer, perhaps even for €50-60m (£42.5million-£51million) and are in pole position.”

Gabriel Magalhaes verdict

Arsenal centre-half Gabriel Magalhaes has offered his thoughts on a potential move for his countryman, admitting the 25-year-old would be a welcome addition to Mikel Arteta’s squad. “We joke around in the dressing room, but there’s nothing certain,” Gabriel told a press conference this week.

“Of course, he’s a quality player, and if he goes to Arsenal, he would help us a lot.”

Agent admission

Gabriel Jesus’ agent Marcelo Pettinati has claimed that talks regarding the former Palmeiras star’s future will take place next month. Speaking to Freddie Paxton, Pettinati said: “At the moment, we understand all of the projects [on offer], so right now isn’t the time to say anything. Things will advance after his time with the national team.”

Tottenham interest

According to The Telegraph, Arsenal’s local rivals Tottenham Hotspur are also interested in bringing Jesus to north London this summer, with Antonio Conte said to be keen on the 25-year-old. Spurs pipped the Gunners to fourth in the Premier League, meaning they have a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League, whilst Arteta’s men will be playing in the Europa League instead.

football.london previously reported that the talented is a player that Spurs admire.

Asking price twist

Manchester City will demand £55million to sign Gabriel Jesus this summer, according to ESPN. The report claims that initial contacts have been made between the two clubs, although the north Londoners have been left bemused by City’s valuation of the player, given he only has one year left on his current contract.

Jesus decides stance on Arsenal transfer

As per the Express, Jesus and his representatives have decided they will not completely rule out a transfer to Arsenal if the club fail to secure Champions League football. It looks as though Arteta’s side will miss out on qualification after successive losses to Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United. They trail Spurs by two points with one game to go, but with the Lilywhites facing already relegated Norwich City on the final day, they’re unlikely to drop any points.

Bid prepared

According to transfer guru Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are finally preparing a bid for Jesus. Taking to social media, Romano said: “Arsenal are also preparing their opening bid for Gabriel Jesus.” football.london reported last month that the north London outfit are expected to lodge a bid in the region of £35million this summer.

Agent revelation

Jesus’ agent, Marcelo Pettinati, has spoken about the future of his client. Admitting that the north Londoners are indeed keen to sign the former Palmeiras star before claiming that there are also six other clubs interested in the Brazilian international. He said “We had talks with Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus, we like the project – it’s a possibility we’re discussing,” Pettinati told transfer guru Fabrizio Romano.

“There are six more clubs interested in Gabriel – he’s focused on final games with Man City, we’ll see.”

Jesus speaks out

Jesus has refused to speak about his future at the Etihad Stadium following recent reports linking him with a summer move to the north London outfit. “Not time to think about this,” he said when quizzed about leaving Pep Guardiola’s side.

“You expect me to say this, and it’s true. Not time to think about this. Now is the best moment of the season.

“I want to enjoy it, keep focused on my teammates to fight for the Premier League. I’ve won with my teammates three times already, so I know how it feels, and I want to again.

“We have a tough game on Tuesday against Real Madrid, a tough opponent. That’s my focus.”

Edu talks

football.london understands that City forward Jesus and Roma frontman Tammy Abraham are among the shortlisted profiles who could arrive at Emirates Stadium this summer. Jesus, in particular, remains open to leaving the current Premier League champions, with his representative holding talks with Edu throughout the past few months.

Read more here.

Guardiola speaks out on Jesus’ future

Following Jesus’ first Premier League four-goal haul against Watford on Saturday, April 23, Guardiola spoke about the speculation on Jesus’ future.

The City manager said: “I want to tell you something; Gabriel [Jesus] is our player. I don’t know what is going to happen, but he is a Man City player. When he has days like today, I am the happiest man in the world!

“Every player is happy when they play 90 minutes all the time, but at the end of the season, whether he wants to extend, stay or leave, I don’t know or don’t care. We have less than one month. My only concern is the players will do everything to try and win, after that, no one knows what will happen.

“If one person in the world deserves nights like this, it’s him. There is no one on the backroom staff or who knows him that isn’t happy for him. When you are so positive and generous as he is in every way, life and football can reward you.

“When he has situations like this, we’re happy for him because he’s so generous. It doesn’t matter what position he’s in, we know how he fights for his mates. He’s fantastic.”