According to Spanish publication AS, Everton have contacted Arsenal regarding a possible move for Gabriel Jesus this summer.
The Brazil international is presently the third-choice striker in the Gunners squad behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres, and he was left out of the matchday squad for the 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield last weekend.
Jesus has already entered the last year of his contract with the Premier League holders, and it looks likely that he may have played his final game for the Gunners. AS now report that the striker has turned down the prospect of moving to Napoli.
The former Manchester City man prefers to stay in England and Everton have emerged as a possible candidate to sign him. The Toffees have contacted the north London giants. Newly-promoted Coventry City have likewise enquired about the striker.
Experience
Everton have relied on Beto and Thierno Barry for the centre-forward duties. Both of them have had their standout moments in the club’s shirt, and Barry was brilliant during the 3-3 draw against Man City towards the end of last season.
Manager David Moyes may ideally want an experienced Premier League striker on board next term. Beto has been touted to move on for some time and the former Udinese man could be sold if the Toffees were to successfully sign a striker.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Richarlison has been mentioned as a target, but we won’t be surprised if Jesus emerges as an alternative. The 29-year-old has picked up long-term injuries during his time at Arsenal, but has still made key goal contributions.
In his 123 games, he has notched up 32 goals and 22 assists in 6,450 minutes. This constitutes a goal involvement in every 119 minutes. Moyes could welcome his addition to the Toffees’ squad but a deal may not be straightforward to pursue.
The Gunners are willing to sell him for £17 million, as per Globo in Brazil. However, Jesus earns a staggering £265,000 weekly at the Gunners, £115,000 more than star goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, who is the highest earner at the Toffees.
Hence, Jesus, hailed as ‘really special‘ by manager Mikel Arteta, may have to accept a significant pay-cut to make the permanent switch to the Merseyside outfit.
The other solution could be a loan deal with Everton covering most of his wages. Arsenal could be open to that possibility with the transfer deadline approaching.
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