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4 Manchester City Targets That Bother Real Madrid

By Stephen Little

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid competes for the ball with Jesus Navas of Marchester City during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on April 26, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Toni Kroos of Real Madrid competes for the ball with Jesus Navas of Marchester City during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium on April 26, 2016 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Real Madrid via Getty Images) /
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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 30: Gabriel Jesus of Palmeiras celebrates after scoring the third goal of his team during the match between Palmerias and Figueirense as part of the Brasileirao Series A 2016 at Allianz Parque Stadium on June 30, 2016 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Adailton Damasceno/Brazil Photo Press/LatinContent/Getty Images)
(Photo by Adailton Damasceno/Brazil Photo Press/LatinContent/Getty Images) /

Gabriel Jesus, 19, Palmeiras, Striker

The long running saga of Brazil phenom Gabriel Jesus wouldn’t be so interesting were he not so precocious. He’s been described by mainstream media, such as The Sun, as the new Neymar. Yes, tons of players get called that and none of them are Neymar, but in Jesus’s case that might actually carry some truth.

Jesus combines speed, dribbling and an electric finish in ways that do more than dazzle on YouTube compilations. So far this season for Palmeiras, Jesus is sitting on 10 goals and 4 assists in 14 appearances, with a further 4 goals in 3 games in the Copa Libertadores. On top of that, he tracks back consistently, a key element in Pep’s game, and makes a solid defensive contribution including an average 1.5 clearances per game, which is remarkable for a forward.

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I think it’s fair to say Jesus is the cream of the crop this year from South America and most big teams seem to agree. Interest in the Brazilian was registered from Manchester City, United, PSG, Barcelona and Real Madrid, with the latter leading the pack unanimously even a month ago. All that changed when, as MARCA reported, Pep Guardiola himself picked up the phone and spent an hour convincing Jesus to go to City instead. The call was answered, the advice was taken.

Interestingly enough, Palmeiras themselves confirmed the Pep phone call actually took place, and complained that it did of course, adding legitimacy to MARCAs claims that it’s a done deal for City. Numerous other colleagues, friends and insiders too have confirmed that the player will find himself at the Etihad, including his own agent today, but not without caveats.

As MARCA report the deal, worth some £26million, would include an allowance for Jesus to continue with Palmeiras until December when their campaign ends. This undoubtedly dampened the expectations of some, but Jesus is ultimately buying potential for the future regardless. He has a high ceiling as a world-class, Neymar-esque, superstar, and an equally high floor as a Brazilian Raheem Sterling with a better haircut.

Unquestionably this stands as a major coup for City who would inherit one of the brightest young talents in the game to go alongside the other youngsters they seem to be picking up this summer. For Real Madrid, well, it can go either way. A lean transfer window this year could be worrisome for fans of Los Blancos, but signing youngsters is Barca’s gig, for Real it’s all about galacticos and there’s plenty of time (and money) left to get some of those.

Next: Leroy Sane

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