Arsenal have been dealt something of a blow in their pursuit of Manchester City forward, Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus was linked with a summer switch to Arsenal last month and those rumours were further fuelled when Pep Guardiola stated that he did not know what the future held for Jesus.
And given Man City have already signed Julian Alvarez and are seemingly likely to bring in Erling Haaland this summer as well, there did appear to be little room for the Brazilian, who was already something of a bit-part player in Manchester anyway.
However, following those links, Jesus went on to score four and assist one in Man City’s 5-1 drubbing of Watford before then netting vs Real Madrid and Leeds United.
Pep eyeing Jesus stay?
And it is this form which does look to have cast doubt over Jesus’ potential move to Arsenal.
Transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola may decide to keep hold of Jesus even if the Citizens do bring Erling Haaland to the club this summer:
“Seeing him (Jesus) playing against Real Madrid, I don’t think Guardiola will allow him to leave, even if they sign Haaland. Which they will, because they are very, very close,” Di Marzio told wettfreunde.
“They still need another striker. A different type of striker. Haaland is a different type. He (Gabriel Jesus) will stay because it’s difficult to find a player like him. Manchester City doesn’t need to sell a player in order to get funds to buy another player. They have the possibility to buy all the players they want.
“It depends on Gabriel Jesus in the end and if he is okay with playing less with Haaland coming. It depends on his attitude, knowing another incredible striker like Haaland will arrive.”
Given Arsenal are in desperate need of a new striker or two, the Gunners may have to start looking elsewhere ahead of the summer.
