According to sources, Arsenal is willing to consider bids for Gabriel Jesus this summer in an attempt to cash in on the Brazilian, who has suffered injuries throughout his tenure at the club.
Mikel Arteta returned to his old club in pursuit of new players, and one of his star acquisitions when he arrived at Manchester City two years ago was Jesus.
With three goals and three assists in his first five Premier League games for the Gunners, the Brazilian got off to a great start and was heralded as the experienced goal striker that Arsenal had lacked in past years.
With Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka on either side of him, he rapidly solidified his starting position in Arsenal’s attack, but his progress was impeded when concerns about his fitness surfaced.
Since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, a number of surgeries related to muscle issues have hampered his return to fitness. According to The Athletic, Arsenal will now consider bids for the 27-year-old.
Jesus’ current contract at the Emirates is still good for three years, and after paying £45 million to sign him in the past, the club may approve a sale if a good bid comes in.
The reliance on Jesus has decreased with the rise of Kai Havertz, a proven goalscorer who joined from cross-town rivals Chelsea last summer. The club has also been linked to a possible deal for another established striker.
Jesus is a popular figure amongst his Arsenal team-mates and is well-liked by Arteta with whom he has built a strong relationship with during his previous time at City and subsequent years in north London. The four-time Premier League winner has scored 19 goals in 66 appearances for Arsenal, but has managed just four English top-flight goals during a difficult campaign.
His promising start at Arsenal was hampered by a knee injury sustained at the most recent World Cup with Brazil, requiring multiple surgeries to address the issue.
Jesus did, however, disclose that he is still dealing with knee issues and may have more surgery in the summer to address the condition.
“There are things that you have to hang on to, even here at Arsenal: go train, play, train today, don’t train, play.” To put it succinctly, I always want to be available for Arsenal and the national team.
“It doesn’t matter if I have to open up my knee and fix whatever’s bothering me at the end of the season and I don’t get to play in the Copa America.” All I want to do is get healthy and support Arsenal as much as I can.
