Gianluca Di Marzio, a member of the transfer squad, has stated that Gabriel Jesus’ departure from Manchester City to Arsenal in the summer is unlikely.
Jesus is set to end his five-year relationship with Manchester City in the summer. The 25-year-old Brazilian was used in various attacking roles in his time at the club, but he hasn’t been able to consistently cement his place at the start.
He is currently in the best form of his time with the club, having scored seven goals in his last six appearances for City, one of which was a four-goal frenzy against Norwich City.
City are planning to sign Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund and are looking to be close to completing a deal for the Norwegian. This could further complicate Jesus’ chances at the club, and the striker is aware of this fact.
It was recently reported that City have set an asking price of £40m for the striker and that Arsenal is the club of most interest. Arsenal are looking for strikers to replace Eddie Nkeitia and Alexandre Lacazette who will leave the Emirates for the season, leaving them without any first-team strikers.
Along with Jesus, Victor Osimhen of Napoli, former Chelsea player Tammy Abraham and Evan Toni of Brentford are targets for Arsenal. However, Jesus is believed to be Arsenal’s main target in the summer.
Di Marzio, talking to Four for twoHe claimed that Jesus’ current form is changing minds in the city. The Italian journalist also indicated that they would need a backup striker for Haaland and because they own Jesus, they are unlikely to let him leave.
“They still need another striker. A different kind of attacker. Haaland is a different type. He (Gabriel Jesus) will stay because it’s hard to find a player like him. Manchester City don’t need to sell a player in order to get paid to buy another player. Di Marzio said: “They have the possibility to buy all the players they want.”
The journalist also noted that Jesus, who has a contract until 2023, will have to make the final call on whether he will stay at the club beyond this season.
“It depends on Gabriel Jesus in the end and if he is OK with less play with Haaland. It depends on his position, knowing that another great striker like Haaland will arrive.”
Di Marzio also spoke about signing Jack Grealish this season at City. The Englishman cost him £100m but was unable to nail a starting position in Pep Guardiola’s squad either. Di Marzio compared Haaland’s potential arrival to Grealish, claiming the Norwegian might not get into the side right away.
“When Jack Grealish arrived last year for £100m, Gabriel Jesus stayed, and now he plays and Grealish is on the bench.” DiMarzio said. “So no one knows if Haaland will arrive and play right away, and he will be one of Guardiola’s attacking ‘untouchables’.
“You never know with him (Pep Guardiola). If you don’t make the right tactical moves that Guardiola wants, you will remain on the bench.”
“I think Gabriel Jesus is in an ideal position now in Guardiola’s system. He understands, perhaps for the first time, what Guardiola is asking of him.”
