Arsenal offer Jesus huge pay rise as contract details and agent talks emerge

Arsenal are prepared to double Gabriel Jesus' salary as they push to make the Manchester City forward their marquee signing this summer transfer window, according to reports.

Jesus, 25, has been on the Gunners' radar for many weeks as Mikel Arteta aims to bring in a new face in attack ahead of next season. The North Londoners have been light up front since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang departed for Barcelona in January.

Eddie Nketiah enjoyed a fine end to the 2021/22 campaign and is expected to sign a new contract, but Alexandre Lacazette will leave the Emirates at the expiry of his deal at the end of June. This would leave Arsenal with only one senior centre-forward ahead of a season during which they will also compete in the Europa League, so the need for a new recruit is pressing.

Jesus appears to be an ideal option on paper as he has a fine track record in the Premier League and could be available for a reasonable sum this summer due to his contract expiring next year. The arrival of Erling Haaland at City could pave the way for the Brazil international to seek a new challenge rather than see his minutes limited further.

Although Arsenal failed to qualify for the Champions League, The Sun claims Jesus is interested in making the switch to the capital and talks have already occurred with his agent, Marcelo Pettinati. The report adds the Gunners are willing to vastly increase Jesus' salary, offering him a deal worth £190,000 per week.

The former Palmeiras prospect earns £110,000 per week at the Etihad, so his salary would be almost doubled at Arsenal, while there would be bonuses included in his contract. Jesus is said to have a good relationship with Arteta, who served as Pep Guardiola's assistant at City before he was appointed Gunners manager.

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Guardiola will not block his player - whom he admires greatly - from leaving but the English champions will demand a sizeable transfer fee of £50million to part ways. There is also said to be interest from sides in Spain and Italy but it remains to be seen whether this price tag will be off-putting.

Jesus scored 13 goals in 41 appearances in all competitions last season while also chipping in with an impressive 12 assists. He was in and out of the starting XI as Guardiola often preferred to play a false-nine rather than a natural striker, rotating the likes of Phil Foden and Jack Grealish in the role.