Premier League transfers: Arsenal agree £45m deal for Gabriel Jesus; De Jong close to joining United
Arsenal have agreed on a deal in principle to sign Manchester City forward Gabriel Jesus, with the transfer fee being quoted at around £45 million. The Brazilian striker has just one year left on his current contract with the Premier League champions and has decided to move to North London in search of regular playing time.
Personal terms between both parties haven't been agreed upon yet and the player hasn't undergone his medical either. Arsenal were in contact with the player's agent Marcelo Pettinati since January to be in pole position to sign the forward this summer.
Manchester City too haven't made any attempts to block the transfer, with the club signing two strikers in Erling Haaland and Julian Alvarez from Borussia Dortmund and River Plate respectively. Meanwhile, Arsenal are without a striker for next season as they lost Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Alex Lacazette on free transfers.
Jesus has already worked with the Gunners' manager Mikel Arteta during the time when the Spaniard was an Assistant manager to Pep Guardiola. Jesus joined City in 2016 and scored 58 goals and provided 32 assists in 158 Premier League appearances.
But the Brazilian found game time hard to come by during his time at City due to the brilliance of Sergio Aguero. Even when Aguero left in the summer of 2021 and City didn't sign a striker, Jesus rarely featured for the champions, who played without a striker all season. The forward will get regular playing time in North London, although he will have to forego Champions League football.
Leeds in danger of losing Raphinha and Phillips
Leeds United, who avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth, are set to lose their star players Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips. Arsenal are in the market for a winger and have identified Raphinha as a top target, while Manchester City have agreed a deal to sign Kalvin Phillips.
Arsenal are set to intensify their efforts to bring Brazilian winger Raphinha to North London. Mikel Arteta is reportedly a big fan of the Leeds forward and Edu has good links to his agent Deco.
The Gunners have already had their initial bid rejected by Leeds United as it was way below their valuation of the Brazilian. But the Gunners seem to have made progress and are confident of completing the deal for the winger, who has been linked to a host of clubs including Barcelona, Chelsea and Tottenham.
Barcelona seemed to be in prime position to sign him, with the Spanish giants being his top priority but couldn't finalsie the deal due to their financial problems. Chelsea and Tottenham can offer him Champions League football, but the London clubs are focussing on Raheem Sterling and Richarlison respectively.
Meanwhile, Manchester City have been swift to move in for midfielder Kalvin Phillips in a deal worth around £45 million. The Citizens have lost Fernandinho and are also in danger of losing Bernardo Silva this summer.
The 26-year-old is now on vacation and is due back for preseason training with Leeds on July 4, which is in nine days. However, if negotiations proceed well, the transfer agreement may be finalised the following week.