Gabriel Jesus set for Manchester City departure

Gabriel Jesus reacts after missing a scoring chance during the FA Cup match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on April 16, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus//Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus reacts after missing a scoring chance during the FA Cup match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium on April 16, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus//Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on April 10, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Etihad Stadium on April 10, 2022 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)

The Manchester City forward will have plenty of suitors interested in his services

Gabriel Jesus arrived to Manchester City back in 2017 with the expectation he would eventually take over the striker position from Sergio Aguero.

Not even a full season following Aguero’s departure, Jesus could reportedly be on the way out himself.

According to The Athletic’s David Ornstein, his next destination won’t be far as Arsenal is one of the clubs interested in signing the Brazilian.

With City close to reaching an agreement for Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, Jesus’ expected departure is an indicator that it’s only a matter of time before the Haaland signing becomes official. City need to make room both in a sporting and financial sense.

While it wouldn’t be fair to call Jesus’ time in Manchester a flop, it’s also fair to say he did not meet expectations. He was never able to become the undisputed striker with Aguero around and that didn’t change once the Argentinian left.

This season, he’s been deployed more on the wing as Jesus said he sees himself more as a winger than a striker. In a sense, that admission may have sealed his fate.

Manchester City have been looking for a striker for some time now with the club strongly going after Harry Kane before the start of the season. However, they could not reach a deal as Tottenham were not interested in selling their star striker.

Not it seems they’ve beaten out the rest of the competition for Haaland and need to make room.

Again, Jesus will not be short of suitors and he is not opposed to leaving City either. While no contacts have been made yet between City and Arsenal, a move to the North London side would be a win-win for both he and the club.

Having already lost Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and likely to lose Alexandre Lacazette, Arsenal will need a striker, especially if the Gunners are able to qualify for the Champions League.