Tottenham Hotspur and Paris Saint-Germain are said to have surrendered the lead to Arsenal in the race to sign Gabriel Jesus this summer. The 25-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Emirates Stadium following his decision to part ways with Manchester City.
football.london understands that Jesus is open to leaving the reigning Premier League champions, with his representatives having already held talks with Edu in recent months. The north London outfit are believed to be confident in their mission to sign the Brazil international, despite interest from some of Europe's leading sides.
While Arsenal aren't laden with Champions League football next season - unlike their rivals Spurs and PSG - the Gunners are reportedly leading the race to sign Jesus. And, according to Fabrizio Romano via German outlet wettfreunde, it has been the north London side's persistence which has seen competition for the Brazilian retract.
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With Spurs and PSG said to be circling Jesus' situation, Romano explained how the progress that Arsenal have already made in talks has boded well for Mikel Arteta. He said: "I think they're just watching the situation and they know that Gabriel is very close to joining Arsenal.
"So, PSG at the moment, are not in a rush to sign a striker but Luis Campos has always been a big fan of Gabriel Jesus and this is why he has been following the situation. Tottenham are interested in Gabriel Jesus. They have had several contacts with his agents.
"But they know that Gabriel wants to be the star of the project, the key player of the project and this is why for Arsenal it is a good opportunity because Arsenal need a number nine - a proper striker to be the face of the project. I'm sure that Arsenal are absolutely leading the race (for Gabriel Jesus). Arsenal are in really advanced talks. So they have the chance to complete this deal."
To be sure, Edu is plotting a scheme which will - in theory - leave Jesus no choice but to pen a deal at Arsenal. 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.
Arteta's side have offered Jesus a €16million-a-year contract - around £264,000-a-week. It's said that, should the Gunners qualify for the Champions League 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. Therefore, Edu is reportedly willing to almost triple the forward's wages.
All in all, while the Gunners may currently enjoy a lead in the race for Jesus, there is pressure from Arteta to wrap up the deal very soon, according to Goal Brazil. Nonetheless, the Telegraph outline that Pep Guardiola's side are said to value the forward at £50million and Arsenal are 'confident' of completing a deal.
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