Arsenal remain confident in their mission to sign Gabriel Jesus this summer, with Mikel Arteta in the market for a new striker following the departures of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. The Gunners have been heavily linked with a move for the 25-year-old and details of the Manchester City forward's proposed contract at the Emirates Stadium have emerged.
With competition from Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Barcelona for the Brazil international's signature, the north London outfit are willing to significantly increase Jesus' wages in a bid to ward off their rivals, according to French journalist Nabil Djellit via the Mirror. And, Arsenal have reportedly offered the 25-year-old a €16million-a-year contract - around £264,000-a-week.
It's believed that should Arteta secure Champions League qualification next season, the Brazilian's contract will rise to €17m-a-year - around £280,000-a-week. Jesus, who is at the top of Arsenal's summer shopping list this summer, is currently on £90,000-a-week at the Etihad, according to Spotrac, meaning Edu is reportedly willing to almost triple the forward's wages.
READ MORE: Liverpool 'interested' in signing Arsenal striker target amid Sadio Mane transfer decision
football.london understands that technical director Edu has held talks with Jesus' representatives in recent months. However, with the absence of Champions League qualification, the forward has been reluctant to pen a deal at the Emirates Stadium, leaving the door open for Chelsea and Tottenham, who are also said to be interested.
While Arsenal may not have Champions League qualification in their favour, the Gunners boss' desire to undergo an overhaul - similar to last year's £150million summer splurge - could emerge as a lucrative selling point. When asked if he expects another busy transfer window in terms of player recruitment, he said: "I am expecting so, yes. I think both competitions [the Champions League and Europa League] require a much larger squad because the amount of games you play is much bigger in both, so I don’t think [which you qualify for] makes a lot of difference or changes a lot.
"If you can financially afford it and we don’t have to do the turnaround in the squad that we’ve had to do, if you ask me what I want it’s 22 outfield players and three goalkeepers. You have to come a long way in the aspects that you see on the pitch, it’s a lot of things that have to be put in place, and that takes time."
According to The Telegraph, Pep Guardiola's side are said to value Jesus at £50million and Arsenal are 'confident' of completing a deal. Unsurprisingly, Edu has reportedly had a £35million bid rejected with everything still to play for.
READ NEXT:
Fabio Vieira already has a nickname at Arsenal after Nuno Tavares' welcome Instagram message
Albert Sambi Lokonga set for Arsenal stay amid loan talk and Youri Tielemans transfer interest
Youri Tielemans' Arsenal deal collapsing threatens repeat of Mikel Arteta's summer nightmare
Full Arsenal Premier League fixture list for 2022/23
What Mikel Arteta said to new signing Fabio Vieira ahead of Arsenal transfer
