Arsenal face £20m valuation gap to sign their top target | OneFootball

Arsenal and Manchester City are £20m apart on their valuations of Gabriel Jesus, according to reports this week.

Football.London report that Gabriel Jesus is open to a transfer away from Manchester City this summer, with Arsenal set to place a £35m bid for his signature this summer.

Yet ESPN claim Manchester City want £55m. After initial contact between the two clubs, Arsenal baulked at City’s valuation of a player with a year left on his deal.

The problem is that City want to recoup the money they’re spending on Erling Haaland, and Pep Guardiola doesn’t ideally want to let Jesus leave. He won’t stand in the Brazilian international’s way, but City aren’t actively looking to sell.

Goal in Brazil report that Arsenal’s likely failure to qualify for the Champions League is a negative for Jesus, but not a decisive factor.

The striker is focusing on a long-term, financially advantageous deal at a club where he can play regularly, and those are his priorities.

The Athletic report that even Arsenal failing to make the Champions League next season won’t end their plans for major summer signings.

The Gunners are reportedly still optimistic about completing deals for the likes of Gabriel Jesus, believing their project, the city, and the club make a compelling case.

Though Arsenal’s summer budget will certainly take a hit, and may result in one or two fewer signings overall.

Speaking to Sky Sports last week, David Ornstein claimed that Jesus of Manchester City is at the top of Arsenal’s list for signings in the striker position.

Jesus reportedly does exactly what Mikel Arteta is looking for in a striker, as well as having a personal relationship with both Arteta and Arsenal technical director Edu.

The 25-year-old has scored 13 goals and assisted 12 in 40 appearances this season, a goal or assist every 99 minutes.