Barcelona and Real Madrid STILL keen on €52m Arsenal star
Tom Weber
- Updated: 26 Oct 2023 10:48 BST
- 4 min read
Real Madrid and Barcelona are still keen on signing Gabriel Jesus, according to Spanish media.
The Arsenal star has had a somewhat strange time of it since making the surprising switch from Manchester City prior to last season. A standout performer despite injury problems as the Gunners gave the Cityzens a good run for their money in the Premier League in 2022/23, Jesus has thus far only found the net once this time around.
Yet in Europe, it has been a different story. The 26-year-old has three goals in three Champions League outings, also notching an assist. Injuries, meanwhile, have continued to plague him, with a knee problem keeping him out of action in August.
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When he's fit and firing, though, Jesus is one of the Premier League's best, and both Real Madrid and Barcelona recognise this - and they haven't forgotten about him despite him snubbing them last year.
El Clasico rivals want Jesus
Madrid-based AS recounts that Los Blancos and the Blaugrana had Jesus "at the top of their agenda to reinforce their attack" when City made him available in 2022, but that he ultimately ended up at the Emirates because Arsenal put more money on the table, signing him for €52 million.
That did not, however, mean that the two LaLiga giants stopped monitoring the Brazilian. On the contrary, the Spanish outlet reports that "they still do not forget him in Spain and follow his evolution closely."
To them, Jesus is a "born goal-scorer. He is Mr. Champions League. Playing at the level of the best in the world, but without so much focus on his figure." But could he become available?
Arsenal are reportedly keen on adding Ivan Toney to their ranks to beef up the attack. In the event of Toney arriving, both he and Jesus will expect to start, which could create issues.
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As for Barcelona and Madrid, they are both in the market for a starting-calibre, high-quality striker. The two Spain-bound Brazilian wonderkids, Vitor Roque and Endrick, are signings for the future and not expected to immediately become starters at their respective clubs.
Barcelona are looking for a long-term Robert Lewandowski successor, while Los Blancos still need to properly replace Karim Benzema. Could Gabriel Jesus be the solution in 2024?
