Arsenal are reportedly gaining momentum as they pursue a transfer deal for Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazil international has been a key player for City down the years, but isn’t always a guaranteed starter, so it could make sense for him to now look to move on for a new challenge.
Jesus is a priority for Arsenal up front, as per Fabrizio Romano in his exclusive CaughtOffside column, and now Ben Jacobs has provided a further update on the situation.
Watch below as the CBS Sports writer speaks to Terry Flewers on the Done Deal Show, stating that Arsenal’s pursuit of Jesus is “gathering momentum” following talks over a deal…
Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal is gathering momentum!
?"The fee will be in excess of £45-£55m, #afc's starting point has been that this is too high (£55m)"
"I think Jesus will go, & Arsenal are certainly in the mix"!@JacobsBen on The #DoneDeal Show
?? – https://t.co/O8sGDQ6VdF pic.twitter.com/PA8klckTYN
— Terry Flewers (@terryflewers) May 25, 2022
There are some concerns about Jesus’ price tag, however, so it remains to be seen how negotiations with City will progress in the weeks ahead.
Arsenal urgently need a big signing up front this summer, with Jesus looking ideal to come in as a long-term replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.
Arsenal 2022/23
Arsenal need depth in midfield, a scoring midfielder a reliable right back, and at least two forwards. There is an assumption that the senior loan players will not return to play significant roles at the club (Bellerin, Toerreira, Maitland-Niles, Mari, Saliba)
They could also use a defensive midfielder, a more reliable left back, and a center back.
Here is a likely first 22 roster for Arsenal in 22/23. This is the next installment of “trust the process” as the team evolves in Mikel Arteta’s image. Unfortunately, this roster will probably finish 6th as Man U, Tottenham, West Ham, Newcastle, and Chelsea improve.
GK- Aaron Ramsdale (Matt Turner)
RB – Takehiro Tomiyasu (Cedric),
CB – Ben White (Aaron Trusty), Gabriel, (Rob Holding),
LB – Kieran Tierney (Nuno Tavares)
CM – Youri Tielemans (Xhaka, Albert Sambi-Lokonga)
DM – Thomas Partey (Mohamed Elneny)
RW – Bukayo Saka (Jeffrey Reiss Nelson)
CAM – Martin Odegaard, (Emile Smith Rowe)
LW – Emile Smith Rowe (Gabriel Martinelli)
S – Gabriel Jesus (Eddie Nketiah)
Here is a line up that would probably finish 3rd or 4th.
GK- Aaron Ramsdale (Nick Pope)
RB – Takehiro Tomiyasu (Matty Cash),
CB – Ben White (James Tarkowski), William Saliba (Rob Holding),
LB – Kieran Tierney (Oleksander Zinchenko)
CM – Youri Tielemans (Xhaka, Albert Sambi-Lokonga)
DM – Reuben Neves, (Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny)
RW – Bukayo Saka (Hirving Lozano)
CAM – Martin Odegaard (Emile Smith Rowe)
LW – Emile Smith Rowe (Gabriel Martinelli)
S – Gabriel Jesus (Moises Kean, Eddie Nketiah)
Replacing Leno with a quality cup keeper and reliable rotation/injury cover for Aaron Ramsdale is key American Matt Turner is just not good enough if Arsenal hope to play Champions League football. Leno came in and gave Arsenal a handful of quality appearances when Ramsdale was injured. Nick Pope would be a good choice and he will move on from Burnley after their relegation.
Right back is a problem because tomiyasu is injury prone. Arsenal need quality injury cover and potential replacement. Matty Cash should be it. If not, bringing Hector Bellerin back is better than Cedric.
Left back has a similar issue – Tierney, while excellent, misses too many games to have a neophyte in rotation. Zinchenko from Man City is looking to leave and he can play.
Center back is a position that, not long ago, looked strong and deep and now looks flimsy. Chambers, Mavropanos, Mari, are all gone. Saliba has hinted he wants to stay in Marseille and play Champions League football, especially if he won’t start for Arsenal. Gabriel is being hunted by Juventus. Two birds with one stone, keep Saliba happy, make some money on Gabriel, and bring in a low-cost, quality back up in Tarkowski, who would be perfect to being in to close down games with an extra, hard-nosed center back who is never injured.
A two-way, box-to-box, scoring midfielder is essential for progression. Youri Tielemans is that player. James Ward-Prowse would be equally good, though a different kind of player. Retaining Xhaka allows Arsenal to reshape in a more offensive way when chasint games, replacing the DM with Xhaka. If the Gunners want to go defensive in the middle, they can deploy Xhaka and Neves of Neves and Partey.
At DM Partey is hurt too often to be relied on Neves is available, he is good, he is Premier League tested. Partey works for depth, or he can move on and Xhaka can be a reserve for both midfield slots.
At right wing, Saka is a given. Behind him, Pepe wants out. Reiss Nelson is improving, but not good enough. Hirving Lozano would be idea, though probably out of Arsenal’s price range. He both scores and provides assists, is mobile, atheltic, and a willing passer.
At left wing, Arsenal have a conundrum. Smith-Rowe or Martinelli? Guile or flash. As a tandem, they offer a lot. no improvement necessary.
At center forward, Arsenal turned a strength into desperation. Gabriel Jesus offers center-forward presence with flexibility. If Nketiak stays, Arsenal still need another forward. Moises Kean from Juventus (remember, they want Gabriel) is a part-time forward with both goals and assists in his locker. A trio of Nketiah, Jesus, and Kean, to partner with Saka, Smith rowe, and Martinelli would be formidable.
Why do we always moan about price like I keep saying if u want the best players u have to pay for them and I think Jesus is top draw so stop moaning about it and offer 50mil he’s worth every penny