Arsenal have reportedly offered Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus a €16million-a-year contract - around £264,000-a-week - to move to the Emirates.
And it's believed Jesus' contract will rise to €17m-a-year - around £280,000-a-week - if the Gunners qualify for the Champions League. The Brazil international, 25, is at the top of Arsenal's transfer shortlist - yet Tottenham are also said to be interested in him.
Mikel Arteta is keen to improve his frontline after saying goodbye to both Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the last six months. The Gunners have tied down Eddie Nketiah to a new long-term deal, handing him Thierry Henry's old No14 shirt.
Yet Nketiah is the only senior centre-forward in Arteta's squad and the manager knows he needs reinforcements. Jesus has been identified as a good candidate for the role after five-and-a-half impressive seasons at Man City under Pep Guardiola.
The forward has a decent record at Man City - scoring 95 goals in 236 games - and has helped them win four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and the FA Cup. Guardiola's side also reached the Champions League final in May 2021, losing 1-0 to Chelsea.
But he's slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad following the arrivals of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and Julian Alvarez from River Plate this summer. Jesus was already struggling for minutes, starting just 21 Premier League games last term.
Will Gabriel Jesus join Arsenal? Let us know in the comments below!
Man City have reportedly rejected Arsenal's opening offer of £35m for Jesus and are holding out for £50m. That would still be an affordable amount for the Gunners and other potential suitors. The player has just one year remaining on his existing deal.
The biggest sticking point is Tottenham's reported interest. Spurs can offer Jesus something Arsenal can't - Champions League football. Antonio Conte's side pipped the Gunners to fourth in the Premier League last term, finishing two points ahead of the rivals in fifth.
But, as reported French journalist Nabil Djellit via Get French Football News, Arsenal are willing to increase Jesus' wages significantly to ensure he picks red over white. According to Spotrac, the player's current salary is £90,000-a-week at Man City.
Arsenal have made a bright start to the transfer market after failing to qualify for the Champions League. They've already signed Brazilian forward Marquinhos from Sao Paulo and completed a £35million deal for Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira.
It's believed the Gunners will move for Atletico Madrid striker Alvaro Morata if they fail to sign Jesus. The Spain international, 29, has spent the last two seasons on loan at Juventus and it's claimed Atletico will listen to offers. He has one year left on his existing deal.
Morata has won 16 trophies during his illustrious career - including two La Liga titles, two Serie A titles and the Champions League twice. Premier League fans will remember his spell at Chelsea, scoring 24 goals during an underwhelming two-year spell.
