Gabriel Jesus to Chelsea transfer latest: Real Madrid enter race, Boehly and Tuchel key meeting

A number of clubs look set to battle it out for the signature of Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus. Both Arsenal and Chelsea have shown significant interest in the 25-year-old following the Brazilian’s desire to leave the Etihad this summer, following the signing of Erling Haaland which was confirmed last month.

His eight goals and eight assists in the Premier League this season, with the majority of his appearances from the bench, has attracted interest from not just the Premier League, but La Liga too, with Spanish champions Real Madrid also keeping an eye on Jesus should he become available. His performances this season prove that he will provide another attacking element to any side’s front line ahead of next season, which is why fees of up to £45m have been mentioned.

With all that being said, football.london takes a look at the latest reports surrounding the Brazilian’s future and the potential switch to another team in the Premier League.

READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Jamal Musiala regret, Arthur swap deal, Gabriel Jesus decision

Chelsea update as battle of London heats up

Man City striker Gabriel Jesus has labelled Chelsea one of the ‘best teams in the world’ as the Blues join Arsenal and Real Madrid in the transfer race to sign their Romelu Lukaku replacement.

Despite constant speculation of the Brazilian being destined for a move to north London amid reports of personal terms being agreed with Mikel Arteta’s side, the Blues and Champions League winners Real Madrid are looking to join the race for a player whose destiny in Manchester has been sealed by the Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland acquisitions.

Multiple Spanish reports including from the likes of Diario AS and SPORT have reported that the west Londoners have now joined the race for the 25-year-old. Chelsea and Real Madrid have the advantage over the Gunners in the Jesus chase already with the fact that both will be competing in the Champions League next season.

Most importantly though, Man City’s number 9 has already hinted at who he will choose between Thomas Tuchel and Mikel Arteta with his ‘best team’ admission. After scoring in City’s 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge last season, he made a big statement regarding the acumen surrounding the European Champions at the time.

See what he had to say here.

Destination: La Liga?

Whilst a large amount of reports suggest that only Arsenal and Chelsea are interested in the services of Jesus, it is reported that the player would prefer a move to Spanish giants Real Madrid, should the opportunity arise.

Spanish outlet SERDeportivos have reported that the player prefers a move to the Bernabeu, with Real boss Carlo Ancelotti also said to be keen on signing the 25-year-old this summer. However, it is claimed that Los Blancos cannot complete a deal for Jesus until fellow Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior gets a Spanish passport, with the reigning UEFA Champions League winners already at the maximum amount of non-European players permitted by La Liga.

But Thomas Tuchel’s side are also said to be interested in the Brazilian international following Romelu Lukaku’s disappointing first season back at Stamford Bridge, with reports suggesting he could return to Inter Milan this summer.

You can read the full story here.

Boehly and Tuchel meeting could prove pivotal in Jesus transfer amid Romelu Lukaku exit talks

Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and manager Thomas Tuchel are set to meet this week to clarify and discuss the future of unsettled striker and club-record acquisition Romelu Lukaku, who has been linked with a return to Inter Milan.

Lukaku’s displeasure at his time back in west London has been known since the start of 2022 when he came out with some explosive quotes to Sky Italia which had tainted all the build-up and preparation for the Liverpool home Premier League clash. Since then, the mercurial talent found some form at the end of the season but this seemingly hasn’t been enough to make the 29-year-old happier with his situation, just one season after completing his club-record £97.5million move back to the Premier League.

Robert Martinez’s striker came off injured in the most recent 4-1 defeat to the Netherlands and is set to miss upcoming fixtures against Poland and Wales respectively. It isn’t expected to be an injury to put any transfer/loan in jeopardy. Consequently, action has been taken by owner Boehly to try and ease the situation at hand as he and manager Tuchel need to know what is what before moving on to new targets amid links to Inter’s Lautaro Martinez, Lille’s Jonathan David and Benfica’s Darwin Nunez.

The American has done this by requesting a meeting with Tuchel in the next two days meaning by June 9, one day before the transfer window opens, the pair would have met. Once those discussions are out of the way, it is expected that Lukaku and his camp will hold face-to-face talks with the part LA Dodgers owner.

Read the full story here.

Tottenham interest

According to Italian outfit TuttoJuve, another one of the London clubs have shown interest in Jesus, this time, it is Tottenham Hotspur.

It is reported that Antonio Conte and Spurs offered just over £40million for the Manchester City striker, £10m short of what the Premier League champions believe he is worth. And while that bid is not likely to land the Brazilian, it seems to have kickstarted a tug of war set to take place between north and west London for the signature of the 25-year-old.

This report follows after it was claimed that Arsenal are willing to pay the Brazil international striker £190,000 per week to convince him to move to the Emirates this summer after the club announced the departure of Alexandre Lacazette, with the future of striker Eddie Nketiah still yet to be decided.