Recruitment expert reveals who Arsenal will sell first out of Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus
Arsenal are planning to accept a Gabriel Jesus offer in the final month of the transfer window after the landmark capture of Viktor Gyokeres.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 28-year-old is no longer a part of Mikel Arteta’s long-term plans.
Gyokeres’ arrival from Sporting CP has forced the Brazil international down the pecking order, where he has now become the third-choice striker.
Brown told Football Insider in November that Arsenal were planning to entertain offers for Jesus in January, before his cruciate ligament injury scuppered their plans.
The striker was stretchered off during their FA Cup defeat to Man United on 12 January, but is now nearing a return to fitness, adding to the speculation about his future.
Newcastle are believed to have been long-term admirers of Jesus, but Brown told Football Insider in November that Eddie Howe was set to look elsewhere.
Arsenal make Gabriel Jesus decision after Gyokeres arrival
Arsenal’s deal to sign Gyokeres will now enable them to accept offers for Jesus as they aim to raise funds for reinvestment elsewhere in their squad.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that there is a growing feeling amongst all parties that now is the ideal time to part ways.
“Arsenal are going to accept an offer for Jesus if their price is met,” he told Football Insider.
“I think his best days are behind him, but he was still a reliable squad player at Arsenal until now.
“He hasn’t pulled up any trees, but he’s done alright.
“I think the thing for Arsenal has been that they need better than ‘alright’ and that’s why they’ve now gone out and spent all that money on Gyokeres.
“With him and Havertz there, it’s difficult to see where Jesus would fit in their plans.
“I hear there’s interest from a few teams in the Premier League, so that would be a good option.
“From his point of view, he’s going to want to go somewhere he can play at a high level but also play regular football, because he won’t get that at Arsenal.
“And from the club’s point of view, if they can make good money from him, they can spend it elsewhere.
“It’s the type of deal I think could work for all parties.”
Crystal Palace’s updated Eberechi Eze stance revealed
Following the arrivals of Gyokeres and Noni Madueke, Arteta is aiming to strengthen in other areas of the squad, with Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze a key target.
However, Football Insider revealed on 30 July that Arsenal could miss out on signing Eze and Palace are standing firm on their asking price.
Eze, 27, has a £68million release clause in his contract which is set to expire before the Premier League season begins and Palace’s stance is that they will not sell for less.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Crystal Palace are confident of keeping Eze and will not sell unless his release clause is activated.
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