Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola admitted he does not know what the future holds in store for Gabriel Jesus after the Arsenal target produced one of the best performances of his career.
Jesus, 25, scored four goals and assisted the other as City thrashed Watford 5-1 to reclaim top spot in the Premier League from Liverpool on Saturday. The Brazilian's masterful display at the Etihad came one day after reports emerged claiming the Gunners harbour serious interest in signing him this summer.
Jesus is out of contract next year and his club may be willing to offload him at the end of the season given they are frontrunners to land Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund. The forward is understood to be open to moving to the Emirates but, in the meantime, Guardiola was keen to stress he remains a City player.
"I want to tell you something; Gabriel is our player," the Spaniard told reporters. "I don't know what is going to happen but he is a Man City player. When he has days like today, I am the happiest man in the world! Every player is happy when they play 90 minutes all the time but at the end of the season whether he wants to extend, stay or leave, I don't know and I don't care.
"We have less than one month [until the end of the season]. My only concern is that the players will do everything to try and win, after that no one knows what will happen." Jesus joined City in a £27million transfer from Sao Paolo-based Palmeiras in 2017 and extended his contract one year later.
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He has made a total of 230 appearances for the Sky Blues, scoring 93 times including 11 goals in all competitions this season. Guardiola has relished his time working with Jesus and has been particularly struck by his tireless work rate throughout their five years together.
"In this world of football, if there's one person, one player who deserves the best in life, it's Gabriel," the City boss added. "He fights for every single ball and helps the team all the time. One day, I'll have to ask him to play at right-back and he's going to give absolutely everything.
"It's not necessary for him to score four goals to know exactly how important [he is] and what he means to all of us. But when he can score four goals, like today, as a striker, all of us are incredibly delighted and happy for him."
