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Arsenal could still sign Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus this summer even if they fail to qualify for the Champions League, according to reports.
The Brazilian has been in used as a rotation option for Pep Guardiola this season although he has featured more in recent weeks with the forward coming into form at the right time for City.
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Jesus has contributed 13 goals and nine assists in all competitions for Guardiola’s side as they lead Liverpool in the Premier League title race by one point, heading into the final game of the season on Sunday.
The City forward’s agent Marcelo Pettinati revealed last week that although a move to Arsenal was a “possibility”, there are “six more clubs” in for him.
“We had talks with Arsenal about Gabriel Jesus,” Pettinati said. “We like the project – it’s a possibility we’re discussing. There are six more clubs interested in Gabriel. He’s focused on the final games with Man City; we’ll see.”
And the Gunners position significantly weakened on Monday night when they lost 2-0 to Newcastle United to hand control of the race for fourth to Tottenham.
With their significantly better goal difference, Tottenham now just need a point on the final day at already-relegated Norwich City to confirm they place in the top four and condemn Arsenal to Europa League football.
It’s an achievement in itself for Arsenal to qualify for European football but their realistic targets will probably have to change depending on the competition.
But The Sun now claim that Jesus’ representatives are in ‘no hurry’ to sort his future with Arsenal ‘still in the running’ even if they miss out on Champions League football.
A report last week insisted the Gunners had lodged a £42m bid for Jesus but The Sun insists the Brazil international’s agents ‘are not going to rush into a decision and are keen for their player to end on a high with City before deciding on his next move’.
The Sun have been told by ‘Jesus’ team that although the Champions League is a major attraction, they have not completely ruled out a move to the Emirates’.