Arsenal Transfers: Gunners look to have clear path to Gabriel Jesus

Arsenal are closing in on the signing of Gabriel Jesus with competitors pulling out of the race.

The Gunners have long been in talks with Manchester City and the player’s entourage over a move to the Emirates after identifying him as a priority target this summer. The club were always going to sign another forward ahead of the 2022/23 season after Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang departed in January and Alexandre Lacazette returned to Lyon on a free transfer earlier this month.

The new arrival, which looks set to be Jesus, will compete with Eddie Nketiah, who was rewarded with a lucrative long-term deal after impressing down the stretch last season, for a starting berth as Mikel Arteta’s #9.

Arsenal closing in on Gabriel Jesus with Tottenham pulling out of the race

According to various sources, Arsenal are closing in on a move for City forward Jesus. CBS Sports’ Ben Jacobs (via Jason Soutar) reported on Wednesday that Jesus is keen to sign with the Gunners and will sign a long-term deal worth a mammoth £220,000 a week.

Mikel Arteta is said to have sold the project to the Brazilian, who is promised to become the ‘focal point’ of the club’s ever-evolving rebuild.

Fabrizio Romano adds that talks are ongoing between all parties to wrap up a deal, with the ‘key details’ now being discussed.

There’s a growing sense that Jesus to Arsenal is an inevitability, and that belief was enhanced when it was revealed on Thursday morning that Tottenham, a reported competitor to Arsenal for Jesus’ signature, were no longer in the race for the Brazilian. In fact, The Athletic’s Charlie Eccleshare believes the City striker was never a target for Spurs, who are instead prioritising a move for either Richarlison or Raphinha.

So, it looks like the Gunners have a clear path to Jesus and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see this one develop quickly over the next week or so.