Arsenal are on the verge of signing Gabriel Jesus after agreeing a deal in principle worth up to £50 million with champions of England Manchester City for his services. 

The 25-year-old Brazilian forward who has just 1 year left on his contract, and has struggled to stake his claim as a first-team regular at City, has been seen as largely dispensable by the hierarchy at Etihad, particularly after the citizens recently completed the marquee signing of Erling Haaland from Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. This will thus be marked as a smart piece of business for all the concerned parties. 

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Arsenal have been on the desperate lookout for a first-team striker after letting go of expensive white elephant Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in January, as well as Alexandre Lacazette. Arsenal ultimately fell agonisingly short of securing Champions League football last season- missing out on the final day after seemingly having 4th spot in the league all but wrapped up, and a lack of firepower up front was labeled as the key reason for the calamitous end to their season. 

Jesus, who has scored 95 and assisted a further 46 in his 236 appearances for the Sky Blues during his 5 years there, will now head to the Emirates Stadium to team up with Mikel Arteta, who was Manchester City’s assistant coach under Pep Guardiola for 3 seasons- something which might have smoothened negotiations between the two clubs- the two Premier League managers having plenty of respect and fondness still for one another. 

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 The Brazilian will form a new-look forward line along with Eddie Nketiah as the Gunners hope to continue making progress in the Premier League as well as the Europa League, Europe’s second-tier competition in the hope of succeeding in their long-term goal of returning to play Champions League football.

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Now that the two clubs have agreed on a transfer fee, Arsenal are set to send representatives to thrash out personal terms with the Brazilian and hope to make him their 2nd major signing of this summer, after the acquisition of Porto midfielder Fabio Vieira, within a week. The North London club are still heavily linked with Leeds United star man Raphinha, in what is surely an exciting time for Gunners fans as the club looks to start a new era of success with a young and hungry squad.