Arsenal make Gabriel Jesus contract vow after striking £45m Man City deal

Arsenal have struck a £45million agreement to sign Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City.

The Gunners plan to make the Brazilian forward their highest-paid player in order to bring him to north London, talkSPORT understands.

Jesus has been a top transfer target for Mikel Arteta’s side so far this summer, with the 25-year-old also prioritising a move to the club after making it clear that he intended to leave the Premier League champions.

Should a move be completed, it will bring an end to his six-year stay at the Etihad Stadium.

In that time, Jesus has played 159 times in the Premier League, scoring 58 goals and racking up 32 assists in the process.

While boasting a decent record in front of goal, South American football expert Tim Vickery believes that there’s still a question mark over the forward’s best position.

Speaking on White and Jordan, Vickery said: “Six years ago a comparison was being made between Gabriel Jesus and the original Brazilian Ronaldo.

“It was from the most impeccable source imaginable: The original Ronaldo, who said ‘this fella Gabriel Jesus reminds me of me when I was a kid’.

“No one would make that comparison now. That’s not a criticism of Gabriel Jesus, but Ronaldo bulked up and became that powerhouse centre-forward.

“Gabriel Jesus, does he lack penalty area presence? There are many things that he does very well, but he does seem to prefer cutting in from wide.”

Vickery added: “What is he? Does he want to play as a No.9, or does he want to play as a wide striker? He has kind of run away from being a centre-forward.

“I spoke with the Brazil coach about Gabriel Jesus not that long ago and he said that after the World Cup he called over Gabriel Jesus and asked him, ‘Where do you want to play?’

“Gabriel Jesus said, ‘I don’t mind’, but the coach said, ‘Obviously you mind, you obviously have a preference, what is your preference?’

“And somewhat sheepishly Gabriel Jesus said he’d rather play out wide. This is important for whoever is going to buy him.

“If it’s Arsenal, I know that Arteta knows him from Man City, but that’s a while ago and things change.”