Botafogo’s star striker Igor Jesus is in Arsenal’s sights ahead of the summer transfer window and his agents have jetted to the UK for conversations, according to ge.globo.
After a third consecutive second-placed finish in the Premier League, some are starting to wonder whether the 2025/26 campaign is do or die for Mikel Arteta who, despite all of his brilliant work at the Emirates Stadium, has not won any major silverware with Arsenal since the 2019 FA Cup.
Not only did the Gunners finish second in the Premier League, but as Champions League semi-finalists, will have an immense pull for potential signings combined with their already-big stature as a club. Given the struggles, both for form and with injury, that both Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz have endured this season, Arsenal are in the market for a striker.
As such, the latest player to be linked to Arsenal is one that would be a sensible signing should it happen.
Arsenal Tracking Jesus
Brazil international could be on the move
Igor Jesus in action for Botafogo
Arsenal are, according to reports, in the race for Igor Jesus’ signature, along with the likes of Nottingham Forest and Fulham. It has been reported that Arsenal wanted to sign Jesus in January for just under £25 million, only for the striker to reject the move due to his desire to play in the Club World Cup, which will take place in June.
Not only can Jesus fulfill this wish, but do so and leave plenty of time in the transfer window for Arsenal to negotiate a deal. Jesus’ preference to stay was so strong that Arsenal’s bid “could not even be analyzed,” meaning they may well have to pay far more than the £25 million originally offered, done off the back of Jesus, dubbed a “fast” striker, helping Botafogo win both the Serie A and Copa Libertadores in 2024.
Igor Jesus Botafogo Stats
Competition
Serie A
Copa Libertadores
Arsenal have been linked with a number of strikers over the past few weeks, though Jesus would perhaps represent a cheaper deal for the Gunners in comparison to somebody like Viktor Gyokeres. While Jesus is happy at his current club, the striker “understands that he cannot waste an opportunity to play in the Premier League.” At just 24 years old, Jesus could feasibly spend years at Arsenal should they choose to sign him.
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( All stats are fromTransfermarktand are correct as of 24/05/2025 )
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