Arsenal close in on double Premier League transfer swoop

With so much on the line in Thursday’s monumental North London Derby against Tottenham, little attention is being paid to potential arrivals and departures at Arsenal.

Champions League football could be just 90 minutes away for Mikel Arteta’s side if they banish their derby hoodoo and leave the wrong side of north London with three precious points, for the first time since 2014, no less. The focus is rightly directed entirely on matters up the Seven Sisters Road.

Behind the scenes, and certainly in the papers, there is much more afoot with potential contract renewals and summer acquisitions still dominating the headlines. Eddie Nketiah and Mohamed Elneny are two players who could stay on, but who might be coming in?

For a number of weeks now the links to Gabriel Jesus have been nonstop. Murmurs emerged before David Ornstein provided the most conclusive information yet, and since then it has been a story that has continued to develop.

Arsenal close in on double Premier League transfer swoop with groundwork being made on striker and midfield additions in the summer window

One of Brazil’s most reliable journalists, Andre Hernan, insists that this is a ‘real’ move.

"“This story of Gabriel Jesus leaving City and going to Arsenal. It’s real, it’s [talks] really happening,” he said. “At Arsenal, maybe he becomes the protagonist. He gets there at a different stage.”"

UOL in Brazil claim that Manchester City will demands around £51m, although this could be reduced down to £42m based on negotiations, which does seem incredibly steep given he is entering the final year of his contract. Previously there was talk of a figure around £25m-£30m, which appears more realistic.

Fabrizio Romano, among others, also gave the go-ahead on Erling Haaland’s move to Manchester City, a move that moves Jesus further down the pecking order. Perhaps now permanently.

One interesting note from City’s recent 5-0 win over Newcastle was Pep Guardiola’s reaction to substituting Jesus for Phil Foden, insisting on a standing ovation from the Etihad crowd for the 25-year-old in what may well be his penultimate appearance at the stadium in a City shirt, and maybe his final start there.

From a squad building perspective the move makes absolute sense for Arsenal. If the fee is around £25m then Arsenal will be signing a technically sound and versatile forward whose attitude and skillset is aligned with the project Mikel Arteta is building. The fit is seamless as Arsenal bolster their forward ranks.

Every day there are new developments hinting towards his future, and with talks between Edu and his representatives said to date back as far as last year, all signs point strongly towards his arrival in the summer. Of course, having Champions League football to offer will factor in.

Elsewhere there are also increasingly strong connections to another potential signing.

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