Arsenal have signed Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City to a long-term contract, the London Premier League club announced on Monday.
Financial details were not disclosed, but British media reported that the 25-year-old Brazil international had signed a deal worth 45 million pounds ($54.54 million). “I followed Arsenal when I was young because of (Thierry) Henry,” Jesus told the Arsenal website. “Obviously I haven’t followed too many European teams but when I saw some of the players playing here I thought ‘wow, this club is great’.
“When I played against Arsenal I was watching the Emirates and it was a very good stadium so I’m very excited to play here.” Jesus was surplus to City’s requirements after the Premier League champions signed Norwegian striker Erling Haaland from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
The Brazilian netted 95 goals and 46 assists for City but failed to carve out a place in the starting line-up last season, netting eight league goals as manager Pep Guardiola deployed a midfielder as “false nine” to lead the attack. Arsenal manager Arteta is hoping Jesus can fill the hole in his side’s attack after none of his key forwards scored more than five league goals last season.
The Brazilian worked with Arteta when the Spaniard was Guardiola’s assistant at City from 2016 to 2019. “I’m very excited. The club have done a tremendous job signing a player of this stature,” Arteta said.
“I know Gabriel very well personally, and we all know him well from his time in the Premier League and his success here. It’s a position that’s been on our radar for a long time now and we managed to get a player that we all wanted. , so I’m really happy.”
Jesus is Arsenal’s fourth signing this summer following the arrivals of compatriot Marquinhos, United States goalkeeper Matt Turner and Portuguese attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira. He will compete for the centre-forward job at Arsenal alongside 23-year-old England international Eddie Nketiah, who agreed a long-term contract extension this month.
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