Gabriel Jesus's desire of playing in the Champions League has struck a blow to Arsenal's hopes of landing the Manchester City forward this summer, as per reports from Brazil.
With the Premier League champions signing Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez, there is set to be an increase in competitions for places in attack at the Etihad Stadium.
Having been more of a squad player than a regular starter since he signed for Manchester City in 2017, Jesus is expected to take up a new challenge ahead of the upcoming campaign with the World Cup in Brazil on the horizon.
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Arsenal have been believed to be leading the race to sign the 25-year-old this summer, with the north London club's technical director Edu understood to have held encouraging talks with Jesus' camp in recent months.
Tottenham, Chelsea and Juventus are amongst others who have registered their interest in the Brazil international, though Real Madrid have emerged as a likely alternative destination for the Manchester City forward in the summer transfer window.
After failing to close a deal for Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe, Carlo Ancelotti's side are reportedly on the lookout for other attacking options and are considering a swoop for the former Palmeiras star.
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It is worth noting that Arsenal's failure in securing Champions League football next season could bolster Real Madrid's chances of landing Jesus, though it was revealed recently that Jesus wishes to stay in England if he leaves City this summer.
According to a new report by Goal Brasil, whose information has been translated and relayed by Sport Witness, Jesus has been aware of interest growing in his services in the past week as he was away with the Brazil National Team.
It is believed Jesus' representatives were in London last week to hold further talks with Arsenal, who made a €50 million offer for the forward - a figure that reportedly falls €10 million short of Manchester City's valuation of their wantaway star.
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Interestingly, it has been mentioned that Jesus is currently not 'very keen' to join Arsenal owing to their failure in securing Champions League football next season - lending a hand to Real Madrid in their pursuit of the South American.
Carlo Ancelotti is said to have made contact with Jesus and expressed his desire of bringing the forward to the Santiago Bernabeu, with the possibility of joining the Spanish giants following their long-drawn, failed pursuit of Kylian Mbappe 'pleasing' the Manchester City forward.
However, the word in Spain is Real Madrid are unwilling to match City's asking price for Gabriel Jesus and their inability to add further non-EU players to the squad could bode well for Arsenal's chance of signing the Brazilian.
Topics: Manchester City, Manchester City Transfer News & Rumours, Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti, Arsenal, Gabriel Jesus, Champions League
Vayam Lahoti