Sporting Clube de Portugal v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5
Arsenal could let one key player leave the club in January (Picture: Getty)
Arsenal and Gabriel Jesus are open to the possibility of going their separate ways in the January transfer window, according to reports.
Jesus arrived at the Emirates Stadium in 2022 following his £45m move from Manchester City and was immediately parachuted into the starting XI.
In his first season, the 27-year-old made an instant impact, notching up 11 goals in 26 Premier League appearances as Arsenal came close to winning the league.
However, the Brazilian struggled to hit the same heights last season, enduring a lengthy goal drought after Christmas that saw him score just one goal in 18 games.
With Kai Havertz emerging as the clear first-choice centre forward this season, the 27-year-old has seen his playing opportunities limited further.
Yet to score in the league, Jesus has started just six games in all competitions and, according to Brazillian outlet UOL, is now considering his future at the club.
The report adds that the Brazilian has endured a ‘turbulent’ year behind the scenes which has seen him part ways with the agent that used to represent him following a legal battle.
FBL-ENG-PR-WEST HAM-ARSENAL
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has been linked with an exit (Picture: Getty)
But, despite that, the forward could still leave the club in the upcoming January window should Arsenal receive a worthwhile offer as they look to raise funds to upgrade their squad.
The Gunners hold a long-standing interest in Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, although the Swede is thought to prefer a move to Manchester United to reunite with former boss Ruben Amorim.
Speaking earlier in the season after Arsenal’s defeat to Inter Milan, Jesus admitted that he was frustrated by his current lack of game time.
‘Well, I believe that not only me, but any player, all players, want to have more minutes,’ Jesus told TNT Sports Brasil.
‘I’m obviously never going to cause anything in the club, I’m going to try to demonstrate on a daily basis, in training, and when I get into the games, have my chance, and do my thing and trust that things will happen.
‘I’ve always made it very clear that I want to improve, that I want to try to do my best and help Arsenal.
‘Obviously, my moment is not the best, it’s not the moment I wanted, that I would like, but as I said, I’m working on my own, trying to do my best, and get more minutes to play, but that’s a consequence of my training, it’s a consequence of the way I get in and leave the decision to the coach.
‘I believe in my potential, and I also know that the fight for my place in Arsenal is big, but I also believe that I can help a lot.’
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