Arsenal have been chasing Gabriel Jesus since the final weeks of last season, as Mikel Arteta looks to enhance Arsenal’s firepower. The Gunners may have been given a breakthrough for the Brazilian thanks to an old transfer target.
According to Italian news outlet Gazzetta Dello Sport, Chelsea are ready to sanction Romelu Lukaku’s move to Inter. But Chelsea are also exploring the possibility of bringing a player in from Inter as part of the deal and are keen on signing one of three players - Martinez, Lukaku's former strike partner, Milan Skriniar and Alessandro Bastoni.
With Chelsea open to selling Lukaku despite signing him for £100m last year, it means that they would have to find a replacement. Jesus could have certainly been a possibility but a swap deal with Martinez would give Arsenal a major boost as there would be less competition for the Brazilian.
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It was recently reported by Spanish news outlet AS that Chelsea have reportedly entered the race to sign Jesus in the summer transfer window after being offered a chance to land him. Real Madrid and Tottenham have also been offered an opportunity, according to the report.
This would have been a big loss for the Gunners who see Jesus as a priority signing in the transfer window according to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano. But, Chelsea’s potential swap-deal will give Arsenal more hope.
Arsenal previously held their own interest in Martinez, as Calciomercato recently claimed that Arsenal have added Lautaro Martinez to their shortlist of summer of striking options, as Arteta plots his new-look strike force. But, Jesus has now come to the forefront of the Gunners’ attacking plans.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Gunners are preparing the opening bid for Jesus. Manchester City want around £50million to sell the forward, even if his current deal won’t be extended. Romano went on to claim that Arsenal already discussed a transfer with Jesus’ agent. "We like the project," Marcelo Pettinati told Romano.
Arteta and the Brazilian international have worked together before during the Spaniard’s three-year tenure at City as one of Pep Guardiola’s coaching staff. This adds another incentive to secure his signature and improve the forward line ahead of next season.
During Jesus’ time with Arteta, the Brazilian played 6,931 minutes and he managed to score 55 goals. This meant that his goals per 90 minutes reached an average of 0.71. This record is better than when Arteta left City because, without the Spaniard, Jesus has played 6,850 minutes and scored 39 goals, which means he reached an average of 0.51 goals per game.
Jesus had a 39% goal improvement when he was being coached by Arteta, and it is certainly a relationship the pair could rekindle if the Brazilian decides to join the Gunners at the end of the season. If Chelsea’s proposed swap-deal between Lukaku and Martinez works, then Arsenal will have a major boost in signing their ideal striker.
