Arsenal are expected to announce the signing of £ 45m from Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus, possibly as early as Monday, after agreeing personal terms with the Brazilian on a five-year deal.
It’s a meeting for Jesus with his former City coach Mikel Arteta, who made him his top scorer for last season.
The deal, and incoming money, also now allow City to officially complete the signing of English midfielder Kalvin Phillips this week, after agreeing a transfer fee of a basic £ 42 million with Leeds last week.
After investing £ 51 million in the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund this summer, City had to raise money to finance Phillips’ signing – a situation that led to Jesus becoming available.
Arsenal have completed negotiations with City after agreeing to a basic £ 45m fee, with incentive clauses possibly adding as much as £ 10m to his costs.
A medical and contractual formalities have yet to be completed, but the last major obstacle – personal conditions – was agreed, according to sources on Sunday.
Jesus has a phenomenal list of honors behind him, including four Premier League titles, even though he is only 25, along with 56 matches for Brazil.
And he leaves City just five goals short of the century of his six seasons with Pep Guardiola’s team.
Last season, Jesus effectively performed in a wide position for City, a role he played for his national team, and his versatility will resonate with Arteta.
That change in role also led to Jesus contributing 12 goals in all competitions for City last season, to go with 13 goals. His familiarity with the oppressive style of play favored by Guardiola and his protector Arteta was another factor in his signing.
More importantly, his arrival solves a lack of depth ahead for the Gunners, following the departure of high-profile forwards Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, to Barcelona in January, and Alexandre Lacazette, who will sign for Lyon next month.
Jesus continues a productive window to date for Arsenal, who are eager to return to compete for a top-four finish next season, with teenage Brazilian winger Marquinhos already added to their attacking squad in a move from São Paulo.
Midfielder Fabio Vieira has joined Porto for around £ 35m, while Arsenal remain one of the leading contenders in the pursuit of Leeds winger Raphinha.