Gabriel Jesus is close to leaving Arsenal having agreed a move to join Brazilian side Flamengo on loan.
The former Manchester City star arrived at the Emirates in a £45million deal in 2022 but injuries have been a constant issue during his time in north London.
Signed with the intention of leading the Gunners’ attack in the no9 role, Jesus’ persistent fitness problems long extinguished those hopes with Kai Havertz serving as Mikel Arteta’s first choice option up top the last two seasons.
Arsenal are poised to sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP, hoping the Sweden international is the answer to their well-documented problems at the focal point of attack.
The club will reportedly then turn their attention to Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze to form part of a fearsome new attack which has already been bolstered by the addition on Noni Madueke this summer.
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Those changes now look set to trigger Jesus’ move away from the Premier League.
RTI Esporte report Flamengo have opened talks with Arsenal over a season-long loan move for the 27-year-old with the option to make the move permanent next summer.
The Brazilian side are prepared to pay 50 per cent of Jesus’ salary which reportedly stands at £260,000-per-week.
Crucially, Jesus has yes to the move. The forward is eager to secure as much playing time as possible ahead of next summer’s World Cup and impress Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Jesus made 27 appearances in all competitions last season with just 13 of those starts.
A cruciate ligament tear ended his season in January however, with Arsenal left without a recognised centre forward for the rest of the season when Kai Havertz got injured the following month.
Jesus suffered that latest injury in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United in January, requiring surgery which ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.
Arsenal have provided no clear indication of when the player will be available to play again, not included in the 30-man squad that flew out to Asia for pre-season tour games against AC Milan, Newcastle United and Tottenham.
Jesus has made 96 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions since his arrival from City.
