Gabriel Jesus has addressed speculation surrounding his future at Arsenal after reports the club could receive an offer for the striker next year. This week it was reported that three players have been placed on the club’s transfer list ahead of the new year.
Jesus is part of a squad that includes Ben White and Gabriel Martinelli, while 18-year-old star Ethan Nwaneri could be considered for a loan move. Jesus has battled fitness issues throughout his time at Arsenal and is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury suffered in last season’s FA Cup third round.
The Daily Mail claims that Arsenal’s aim is to prepare the Brazilian for the January transfer window and could choose to part ways with the player if a “suitable” offer materializes.
Despite his desire to eventually return to his boyhood club Palmeiras, he has ruled out leaving the Gunners before his contract expires in the summer of 2027.
“I am very grateful to Palmeiras. Palmeiras is a club that I support and I have made it clear to some of the Palmeiras players that I will return at some point,” he told Globo Esporte.
“But that is not the case at the moment. I have a contract with Arsenal until 2027 and my wish is to remain here. Even if both parties understand that for whatever reason it cannot be extended beyond that, I will be here at least until 2027.”
Jesus also briefly touched on his setback, admitting that it didn’t have much of an effect on him from a spiritual standpoint.
“It’s surprising, but mentally I’m okay,” he added. “At the time, my wife was pregnant with our second child and I already had a daughter, so I was able to stay home and spend time with my kids. That was really important to me and really helped me not focus on[the injury].”
“I don’t know,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said earlier this month when asked about Jesus’ chances of returning from injury. “Right now it’s about taking steps day by day in a different environment.”
“Obviously, he’s been doing everything on his own, but now he’s got players around him, players who are very competitive, and we’ll see how he deals with it.
“But he’s full of energy. I love the reaction of all his teammates when he first joined us. So yeah, it’s really good to have him back.”
