Arsenal complete €52m signing of Gabriel Jesus from Man City
Suraj Radia
- Updated: 4 Jul 2022 08:46 BST
- 3 min read
Arsenal have completed the signing of Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus for a fee of €52 million (£45m), both clubs have confirmed.
Multiple sources suggested last week that the transfer had been concluded, but it was only made official on the morning of July 4.
Gabriel Jesus has put pen-to-paper on a five-year contract with Arsenal until 2027
City chose to cash in on the 25-year-old, who had one year left on his contract at the Etihad.
Tottenham and Real Madrid were among the sides who had enquired about Jesus but Arsenal fought the hardest for his signature, having been in negotiations with City since April.
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Arteta on Jesus
Speaking to the club's official website, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “I’m very excited. The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature. I know Gabriel personally very well, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and being really successful here.
"This is a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now and we have managed to get a player that we all wanted, so I’m really happy.”
Technical director Edu added: “We are delighted that we have secured the transfer of Gabriel. Everyone who knows football well, knows the qualities of Gabriel Jesus.
"Gabriel is a player who we have admired for a long time now. He is 25 years old and an established Brazil international who has consistently demonstrated that he is a player at a very high level. We look forward to seeing him join up with his new teammates ahead of the new season. We all welcome Gabriel to Arsenal.”
Arsenal turn to Jesus as their saviour
Arteta had identified Jesus as a priority target having worked with him while an assistant to City manager Pep Guardiola.
Jesus was keen on joining the Gunners in search of more first-team football after accepting his opportunities would be limited at City following the arrivals of Julian Alvarez and Erling Haaland.
The Brazilian was willing to join Arsenal despite the lack of Champions League football and will offer a versatile option to the Gunners' goal-shy front line.
Arteta's side scored fewer goals than any of the sides in the top four and were desperate for striking reinforcements after Alexandre Lacazette's contract expired.
Jesus netted 95 goals in 236 appearances across all competitions for City since joining from Palmeiras for around £27m in 2016.
Having come to the club as a left winger, Jesus spent a large portion of his City career playing up front while he grabbed eight goals and eight assists often playing on the right flank last season.
Arsenal have been very active in the summer transfer window, having previously signed Matt Turner, Marquinhos and Fabio Vieira.
Read more about: Premier League, Arsenal, Man City, Palmeiras, Real Madrid, Tottenham, Alexandre Lacazette, Erling Haaland, Gabriel Jesus, Julián Alvarez
