Manchester City might not have won any UEFA Champions League titles in their history, but that does not necessarily negate the fact that they still are currently one of the best teams in the world. Hence, there is no reason for a player to leave such a team unless there is something wrong.
For Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus, it does not appear as if anything is wrong – on the surface. The Citizens’ manager Pep Guardiola has always been a fan of the youngster, which is why the team spent £27 million on a relatively unknown teenager back in 2019 when he was signed from Brasileiro Serie A outfit Palmeiras.
Since his arrival in Manchester, Jesus has played a key role in his team’s success. He might not be among Manchester City’s most important players like Kevin De Bruyne, but 95 goals in 236 appearances prove why still is highly valued and equally highly rated in the team.
Even in the recently-concluded 2021-22 season, where City won their sixth Premier League title, Jesus played a total of 41 matches, in which he scored 13 goals and gave 12 assists. From what we have said so far, it seems that the lad from Sao Paolo has absolutely no reason to leave Guardiola’s army, but it is not what it seems.
The defending Premier League champions made two new additions to their attacking ranks, in the form of Norwegian goal-machine Erling Haaland and the promising Argentine youngster, Julian Alvarez. This, in turn, has affected Jesus in a couple of ways.
Firstly, it gives the player an impression of his manager not having faith in his abilities anymore. Secondly, with a world-class striker like Haaland arriving at the club, it becomes clear that Jesus’ game-time will take a drastic dip this season, should he stay back at Manchester City.
Quite understandably, his agents have hence started speaking with other interested parties and are actively seeking a move elsewhere, where the 25-year-old will be the preferred striker and not play under anyone’s shadow.
Check out five teams who might be interested in signing Jesus:
#1 Arsenal
Arsenal is the frontrunner to sign Gabriel Jesus
Though Jesus’ agent has claimed that as many as six teams are in the race to acquire his signature, it seems that Arsenal has already created a gap with the chasing pack. The Gunners have held an initial round of talks with the Brazilian’s entourage and it will be safe to say that Jesus is one of their main priorities this season, in terms of summer transfer targets.
There is a very good reason for it. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is planning to build a new, youthful team, and he is ending ties with the veterans. Gabonese striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s contract was mutually terminated last season, and now, French frontman Alexandre Lacazette has also been asked to leave following the expiration of his contract.
Hence, it is very obvious that the team from North London will need a striker to lead their team. Besides that, it also should be noted that the Gunners’ other option for this role, Gabriel Martinelli is also a Brazilian and the duo could form a deadly partnership.
#2 Tottenham Hotspur
Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur are bitter rivals on the football pitch, but it seems the rivalry could continue in the transfer market this time around, with Spurs being interested in Jesus as well. There have been rumours of their star striker Harry Kane seeking a move elsewhere.
Having said that, manager Antonio Conte might be keen on bringing Jesus to the Tottenham Hotspur stadium even if Kane stays. With the Englishman and South Korean attacker Son Heung-Min doing wonders for the team, the addition of Jesus will only take Spurs’ attacking contingent to a whole new level.
#3 Newcastle United
Besides the two teams from North London, Jesus finds another interested party from England in Newcastle United. The Magpies might not match the strengths of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur currently, but after the club’s Saudi Arabian takeover, it is very certain that they will be making quite a few statement signings, having already splurged big in last season’s winter transfer window.
The attacking department is one of Newcastle United’s Achilles’ Heel. Not a single player could reach double-figures in terms of goals tally last season, and Callum Wilson happened to be the only player who netted over five goals. Hence, Jesus going to St James’ Park makes perfect sense.
#4 Barcelona
Gabriel Jesus will be reunited with Ferran Torres if he joins Barcelona
Though it has been reported that Jesus ideally would want to stay in England and continue playing in the Premier League, a couple of Spanish teams are also interested in acquiring his services. One of those two teams is Barcelona which is in the market for a striker.
New manager Xavi has also bolstered the attacking ranks of the Blaugranas, having signed two players from Premier League clubs in Ferran Torres and Aubameyang. Adding Jesus to the side will help him create an intimidating attacking trio, as the Brazilian has played alongside Torres in Manchester City, while Aubameyang himself is in good form.
#5 Atletico Madrid
The other La Liga side that is in the race to sign Jesus is Atletico Madrid. Their previous number 9, Luis Suarez was allowed to leave the club on a free transfer, and now manager Diego Simeone is looking for a like-for-like replacement.
Whilst Jesus is not particularly similar to Suarez in terms of his playing style, one common aspect between the two is that they both guarantee goals aplenty. With Los Colchoneros already boasting of some talented wingers, the Sao Paolo lad could just be the missing piece in their jigsaw masterpiece.