Gabriel Jesus’s time at Arsenal appears to be running out. The Gunners have dropped their asking price to £20 million, and AC Milan are leading the charge to snap up the Brazilian striker. But there’s a catch — and it’s a big one.
So what’s really going on here? Let’s break it down.
Arsenal Accept the Reality
Arsenal paid £45 million to sign Jesus from Manchester City back in 2022. He arrived as a player full of energy, pressing defenders, linking play, and helping shift the mentality at the Emirates.
But injuries have derailed things badly.
Over the past two seasons, Jesus has managed just 30 Premier League appearances. This past campaign, he featured in only 14 league matches, scoring six goals. Not exactly the return you’d expect from one of the highest-paid players at the club.
With Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz firmly ahead of him in the pecking order, Jesus has been pushed to the margins. Arsenal now view this summer as their last realistic chance to recoup any transfer fee. His contract expires in June 2027, which means they’d lose him for nothing if they don’t act now.
According to Brazilian journalist Jorge Nicola, Arsenal have lowered their valuation from an earlier asking price of around £30 million down to £20 million. That’s a significant reduction — and it signals the club’s willingness to get this deal done.
TEAMtalk have confirmed that Arsenal are actively working with Jesus’s representatives to find a buyer.
Milan Lead, But Wages Are the Problem
AC Milan are the frontrunners. This isn’t a new interest, either. Gianluca Di Marzio reported Milan’s pursuit of Jesus as far back as April, and the Rossoneri have been in contact with his camp throughout the spring.
Why Milan? They need a striker. Badly.
Santiago Gimenez and Niclas Fullkrug have been underwhelming, frequently left on the bench. Rafael Leao has been forced into a centre-forward role that doesn’t suit him. Jesus, with his tactical intelligence and experience under both Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, would fill a genuine gap.
But here’s where it gets complicated. Jesus earns around £265,000 per week at Arsenal. That’s roughly €305,000 in Italy — and it dwarfs what Milan’s current top earners make. Unless Jesus accepts a significant pay cut, a deal could stall.
Juventus and Atletico Madrid have also made enquiries, though neither club has submitted a formal bid. The Italian and Spanish giants face the same wage barrier as Milan.
Here’s the key question: will Jesus take less money to play regularly?
What Does Jesus Actually Want?
That’s the interesting part. He’s given mixed signals.
Back in January, Jesus told reporters he wanted to extend his Arsenal contract and stay to win trophies. He spoke about having “unfinished business” at the club.
But by May, the tone shifted. Speaking to ESPN, Jesus opened up about his deep emotional connection to boyhood club Palmeiras. He admitted he dreams about returning to Brazil on a daily basis.
Palmeiras president Leila Pereira hasn’t been subtle, either. She publicly told Jesus he’d be “coming back home” in an interview earlier this year.
Still, a return to South America doesn’t seem imminent. Jesus has indicated he wants two or three more years in Europe before heading back. That timeline makes a move to Serie A look like the logical next step.
For Arsenal, the priority is clear:
- Offload Jesus’s hefty wages
- Recoup at least £20 million
- Free up squad space and funds for new signings
For Milan, the calculation is simple too. If they can negotiate the fee below £20 million and agree a manageable wage package with Jesus, they’ll land a proven striker with Champions League pedigree.
The coming weeks should tell us whether these two sides can find a middle ground. If not, Jesus will stay at the Emirates for one final season — playing a reduced role, watching his contract tick down, and leaving for free next summer.
That’s the worst outcome for Arsenal. And they know it.
