Arsenal are prepared to consider offers of around £20 million to part ways with Gabriel Jesus during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners ended their 22-year wait for the Premier League title this season, and could win their maiden Champions League crown against Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday.
Regardless, there will be some transfer activity this summer. The focus will be on adding more quality to the squad, and it has been widely reported that Jesus could be sold.
The 29-year-old’s current deal with Arsenal expires in June next year, and The Athletic journalist David Ornstein claims that multiple clubs have ‘enquired’ about his situation.
The Premier League champions are demanding upto £20m for the versatile ace, and interested clubs have been quoted between £18m and £20m for the Brazil international.
Arsenal will not consider selling Jesus cheaply if their valuation is not met.
Arsenal have taken the right transfer stance on Jesus
Jesus picked up a serious knee injury during the FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United last year, and did not return to competitive action until December.
The Brazilian, hailed as ‘special‘ by manager Mikel Arteta, has shown glimpses of his quality, but he has looked past his prime. He has netted just six goals alongside two assists from 27 games this season.
Jesus started his third league game of the campaign at Crystal Palace last weekend. He did score in the opening half, but squandered three clear-cut chances prior to that.
Hence, it is unsurprising that he has fallen behind Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz in the pecking order for the striker role, but Jesus has not gone public to complain.
The former Manchester City man has acknowledged the fierce competition and Arteta’s selection choices, and he looks unlikely to push for a move away from the club.
Even if Arsenal’s valuation of Jesus is met, the big question remains whether he would accept a sizeable pay cut on his £265,000-per-week wages to join another European side.
The situation could be entirely different if he moves to the Saudi Pro League. Arsenal could be content to keep him as a third-choice striker if suitable bids don’t arrive this summer.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com, Capology.com & Sofascore.com