Arsenal will need to convince Gabriel Jesus about their future project if they want to sign the Manchester City striker this summer, claims journalist Dean Jones.
THE LOWDOWN
The Gunners are desperately looking to strengthen their attack this summer with a new number nine after Alexandre Lacazette’s departure back to his old club Lyon, and Mikel Arteta is reportedly hot on the trails of City’s Jesus.
The Arsenal boss, who has worked with the Brazilian before in his role as Manchester City assistant coach to Pep Guardiola, is very keen on luring him to the Emirates Stadium, and has made him his top transfer target, according to The Athletic.
The Sun has recently claimed that Arsenal are willing to do everything they can to sway Jesus as they are ready to offer him a basic salary of £190k-per-week which would almost double his current wages at City, who pay him £91k-per-week.
And Jones believes that the money offered will not be an issue, but the more important aspect of any potential deal will be convincing Jesus that they can get back in the top four and compete for major trophies once more.
THE LATEST: SOLD THE PROJECT
Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, he said:
“I don’t feel like it’s going to be about finances as much as ambition for Gabriel Jesus. He’s a Champions League footballer. At the moment, we don’t know when or if Arsenal are going to be in the Champions League. So, he needs to be sold the project.”
THE VERDICT: DO ALL THEY CAN
The Brazilian hitman landed on English shores in January 2017 from boyhood club Palmeiras and his rise to the upper echelons of football was described as “stunning” by The Athletic’s Jack Lang.
For the Citizens, the versatile ace has gone from strength to strength, registering 95 goals and 46 assists in 236 appearances across all competitions, claiming four Premier League titles, one FA Cup and four League Cups along the way.
Arsenal narrowly missed out on Champions League football on the last day of the Premier League campaign, which means negotiating deals for top stars could prove difficult. But the Gunners must do everything they can to convince the 56-time Brazilian international that a switch to red half of north London would be the ideal move for his career.
The £45m-rated star star could still find a move to the Emirates appealing considering the increased game time he will very easily acquire, his vital importance to a coach who knows him well and also the opportunity to play alongside some stunning young talents in Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe.Arteta will have his work cut out without the pull of Europe’s top club competition but if he can convince the likes of Jesus and Youri Tielemans to join his project, then it could well be a huge boost to their chances of returning to Europe’s grandest stage for the first time since 2017.
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