Man City stance on allowing Gabriel Jesus to Arsenal if Sterling joins Chelsea

Manchester City are open to the potential exits of both Gabriel Jesus and Raheem Sterling this summer.

Pep Guardiola's side have already bolstered their attack with the addition of Borussia Dortmund goal machine Erling Haaland and River Plate prospect Julian Alvarez. Kalvin Phillips and Marc Cucurella have also reportedly been identified as summer transfer targets, with City said to be keen on bringing in a left-back and a central midfielder.

The reigning Premier League champions have enjoyed plenty of success in recent seasons despite the absence of a recognised central striker. Jesus has been utilised both through the middle and out wide, but the arrival of Haaland is understood to have pushed the Brazil international towards the exit door.

Jesus is about to enter the final year of his contract, and Arsenal have reportedly made the 25-year-old their priority transfer target in this window. City are said to have named an asking price of £50 million for the forward, and the Gunners are believed to be confident of concluding a deal.

Raheem Sterling is another City attacker facing an uncertain future with just a year left on his contract. The England international has been linked with Chelsea, with reports over the weekend suggesting a cut-price deal could be in the offing.

It means City could stand to lose two first-team forwards in the same window, with Riyad Mahrez also about to enter the final year of his deal. However, the Athletic claim the defending champions have accepted that Jesus and Sterling could depart the club this summer.

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The report goes on to outline that in the event that City sell either one or both players, the club have no plans to sign another winger as a replacement. Alvarez is capable of playing across the frontline, while Kevin de Bruyne, Phil Foden Jack Grealish and Bernardo Silva have all previously been used in attack.

The sales of Jesus and Sterling could open the door for academy graduate Cole Palmer to play a greater role next season. The report claims there is a 'firm intention' for the England youth international to be handed more first-team opportunities, and the 20-year-old would likely take a role on the right wing.

Jesus was initially billed as Sergio Aguero's successor after signing for City in 2017, but the forward has not made more than 22 Premier League appearances in a single season since. However, the forward is regularly praised by Guardiola for his work-rate off the ball and his contributions to the team's pressing from the front.

Jesus is said to be keen to work under Mikel Arteta again, with the current Arsenal boss spending three years as Guardiola's assistant at City. The Gunners are in desperate need of a new forward, with Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang both departing this year.

Sterling has won four Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, and three League Cups during his seven-year stint at City so far. However, the former Liverpool forward's contract status and competition for places has seemingly opened the door for a move this summer.

Sterling has previously attracted interest from abroad, but it is Chelsea who are currently said to be leading the race. The attraction of Champions League football and returning to London has been cited as factors behind a potential £35 million move.