Arsenal have rejected an approach from Brazilian side Palmeiras for Gabriel Jesus.
Jesus is yet to score in 11 appearances for the Gunners this season and has completed 90 minutes just once. He has fallen behind Kai Havertz in the pecking order and has been relegated to a role as a late substitute in the Premier League. But Mikel Arteta considers the struggling striker an important part of his squad.
There has been plenty of speculation about his future, with reports from Brazil suggesting that Arsenal could be tempted to sell in January if their valuation – claimed to be in the region of £33.4m – is met. Jesus is under contract with Arsenal until June 2027 and appears keen to stay and fight for his place as the team challenge for the Premier League title.
It seems that the feeling between club and player is mutual, judging by comments from Palmeiras president Leila Pereira, who had been keen to bring Jesus back to the club where he started his career in 2015.
“Gabriel Jesus is not coming,” Pereira told ESPN. “We got in touch with Arsenal, and they said ‘Leila, there are no conditions whatsoever. We are not going to negotiate on the player.’
“The subject is closed.”
Jesus came through Palmeiras’ youth ranks and spent two years playing for the Sao Paulo club before earning a move to Manchester City in 2017. He won four Premier League titles, the FA Cup and three Carabao Cups with City before Arsenal shelled out £45m to sign him in the summer of 2022.
The Brazilian striker had a promising debut campaign, but netted just eight times in 2023/24 and an injury in pre-season derailed his start to the current season. The only time he has completed 90 minutes came in a 5-1 thrashing of Bolton in the Carabao Cup, but more opportunities should be on the horizon, with a trip to Preston coming on Wednesday in the same competition.
“He came on in a great shape, probably in the best condition he’s been with us,” Arteta explained earlier this month. “He was flying in pre-season and unfortunately he got that injury straight away that affected him for a few weeks.
“He put again a lot of work into it to come back and now he needs to get the rhythm. He’s playing a few games, he’s started two games in a row vs Atalanta and Bolton, he’s come on against Southampton.
“So yeah, he’s there. Now he needs to earn the right to play more. He’s got our full support, he’s a player that can play in various positions and he’s a really important player for us.”
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