Arsenal have been hit with an obstacle in the race to sign Gabriel Jesus this summer. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates of late, with the forward among the shortlisted profiles who could arrive at London Colney this summer, football.london understands.
Jesus remains open to leaving the reigning Premier League champions, with his representative holding talks with Edu in recent months. According to the Mirror, City are said to have set a £40 million asking price and the Brazil international's potential sale is being lined up by the club in order to facilitate a move - financially - for Erling Haaland.
Sky Sports Italy journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that a deal which sees the Borussia Dortmund striker swap the Signal Iduna Park for the Etihad is now 'very imminent'. However, with Jesus' upturn in form residing Jack Grealish to the bench, Guardiola has been armed with a reason to retain the Brazilian's services.
READ MORE: Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal transfer: £40m asking price, Haaland implication, contract talks
In April, Jesus has directly contributed towards nine goals in eight appearances. His impressive displays have seen Grealish, who joined City in the summer for an eye-watering £100m, withheld to the bench.
Speaking to wettfreunde, Di Marzio played 'devil's advocate' and suggested that if Jesus can squeeze the England international out of City's starting eleven following a stellar move, then he could do the same to the Norway forward. He said: "It depends on Gabriel Jesus in the end and if he is okay with playing less with Haaland coming.
"It depends on his attitude, knowing another incredible striker like Haaland will arrive," Di Marzio added. "When Jack Grealish arrived last year for 100 million, Gabriel Jesus stayed, and now he's playing and Grealish is on the bench.
"So nobody knows if Haaland will arrive and play immediately, and be one of the 'untouchable' strikers of Guardiola. I think Gabriel Jesus is in the perfect situation now in Guardiola's system - he understands, probably for the first time, what Guardiola is asking him to do."
Arsenal's pursuit for Jesus could rely on whether the Brazilian thinks he can answer the 'Grealish question' again should Haaland complete a move to the Premier League champions.
