Arsenal have growing optimism they will strike a deal to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City this summer, according to reports.
The 25-year-old has been linked with a move to the Gunners as Mikel Arteta looks to bolster his attacking options following Alexandre Lacazette's departure. The Frenchman has agreed to re-join Lyon on a free transfer, while Eddie Nketiah has been offered a new contract after impressing at the end of the season.
Tottenham are also interested in signing Brazil international Jesus, who has scored 95 goals in 236 games since joining City in a £31million transfer from Palmeiras in 2017. He has helped City win four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and three EFL Cups since arrived at the Etihad.
However, according to The Times, the Gunners believe they will sign Jesus before the end of the window. It is understood the fee could be around £50million and Jesus is keen to reunite with Arteta, despite the fact the Gunners cannot offer him Champions League football. Arsenal dropped out of the top four with two matches to go and ended up finishing fifth, a point behind arch-rivals Tottenham.
Jesus is the Gunners' prime target and they have already initiated talks with his agent, Marcelo Pettinati, amid interest from other clubs across Europe. The North London side have offered an improved salary of £190,000 per-week plus bonuses, compared to the £110,000 per-week he is on at City, in an attempt to prise the forward away.
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The Brazilian has just finished from international duty and is currently on holiday ahead of returning for pre-season at the start of July. Arsenal already have five friendlies pencilled in and will face Nurnburg, Everton, Orlando City, Chelsea and Sevilla before facing Crystal Palace on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Arteta is desperate to sign a reliable goalscorer, with many feeling the lack of such a profile played a big part in Arsenal missing out on a top-four spot last season. Bukayo Saka was the only Arsenal player to reach double figures in terms of Premier League goals, while Lacazette, who was often leading the line up until the final few weeks, managed just one league goal following the turn of the year.
While many at Arsenal are hoping Jesus can be that efficient finisher they crave, a dive into Jesus' underlying numbers should raise some concern. The Brazilian scored eight league goals last season, which looks unremarkable at first glance. However, an obvious caveat is he spent a lot of time playing out on the right of Pep Guardiola's attack, helping him supplement that return with eight league assists too.
