London, July 4 (BNA) Arsenal Football Club announced today, Monday, the signing of Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus from Manchester City, on a long-term contract.
Financial details were not disclosed, but British media reported that the 25-year-old Brazil international signed a deal worth 45 million pounds ($54.54 million), Reuters reported.
“I followed Arsenal when I was young because of (Thierry) Henry,” Jesus told Arsenal’s website. “Obviously I haven’t followed a lot of European teams but when I saw some of the players who played here, I was like ‘Wow, this club is big.'”
“When I played against Arsenal I was looking at the Emirates and it was a very good stadium, so I am very excited to play here.”
Jesus was surplus to requirements at City after the Premier League champions signed Norwegian striker Erling Haaland from Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund.
The Brazilian scored 95 goals and 46 assists at City but failed to secure a place in the starting line-up last season, scoring eight goals in the league as coach Pep Guardiola used a “false nine” midfielder to lead the attack.
Arsenal coach Arteta hopes Jesus can fill the gap in his team’s attack after none of the main strikers scored more than five goals in the league last season.
The Brazilian worked with Arteta when the Spaniard was Guardiola’s assistant at City from 2016 to 2019.
“I am very excited,” Arteta said. “The club has done a tremendous job to recruit a player of this stature.”
“I know Gabriel well personally, we all know him very well since his time in the Premier League and his success really here.
“This is a situation that has been on our radar for a long time now and we were able to get a player we all wanted, so I’m really happy.”
Jesus is Arsenal’s fourth recruit this summer, following the arrival of his compatriot Marquinhos, American goalkeeper Matt Turner and Portuguese attacking midfielder Fabio Vieira.
He will compete for Arsenal’s attacking position with 23-year-old England youth international Eddie Nketiah, who agreed a long-term contract extension this month.
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