Gabriel Jesus addresses Manchester City future amid Arsenal, Barcelona links

Gabriel Jesus has refused to get drawn into the speculations about his Manchester City future amid links to Arsenal and Barcelona.

Speaking to the media (h/t GOAL), Manchester City striker Gabriel Jesus has opened up on the rumours surrounding his future at the club as reports of interest from Arsenal and Barcelona continue to do the rounds.

The 25-year-old Jesus joined Manchester City in January 2017, signing from Brazilian club Palmeiras, and has enjoyed a successful stint at the Etihad Stadium. However, he has never been able to nail down a starting berth at the Etihad, having had to play second-fiddle to Sergio Aguero until last summer.

Despite the Argentine’s exit in 2021, Jesus continues to be used as a rotation player and has been utilised out of his natural position this season, with Pep Guardiola preferring to play with a false-nine through the middle. Manchester City are set to reinforce their No. 9 slot in the summer with Julian Alvarez arriving from River Plate while they are edging closer to the capture of Erling Haaland.

It has given way to speculations over the future of Jesus, who is now getting linked with a summer exit. Barcelona have shown an interest in signing the Brazilian international as a cost-effective solution to their No. 9 woes while Juventus are also keen on signing the 25-year-old striker before next season.

Gabriel Jesus com a camisa do Manchester City:

? 230 jogos;
⚽️ 93 gols;
? 41 assistências;
? 3x Campeão da Premier League;
? 4x Campeão da Copa da Liga Inglesa;
? 1x Campeão da Copa da Inglaterra;
? 2x Campeão da Supercopa da Inglaterra.

Craque! ??

? Transfermarkt pic.twitter.com/4A4vjnJyRV

— FutebolNews (@realfutebolnews) April 25, 2022

Of late, Arsenal have also entered the fray for the signing of the Manchester City striker. With Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah likely to leave at the end of the campaign, the Gunners need a new centre-forward. So, a move for Jesus is under consideration, with Mikel Arteta having worked with the Brazilian in the past.

However, Jesus has responded to the speculations, insisting that this is not the right time for him to discuss his future at a time when Manchester City are competing for the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League.

“I think it’s not time to think about this,” the Brazilian said. “I think you expect me to say this, but it’s true. Now is the best moment of the season, I want to enjoy it, to keep focused on my team, with my teammates to fight for the Premier League. 

“I won it with my teammates three times and I know how that feels and I want to have that feeling again and then, of course, we have the tough, tough game on Tuesday against Real Madrid, a tough opponent, and that is my focus.”

Manchester City host Real Madrid on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League semi-finals. And Jesus, should he get an opportunity, will be hoping to repeat his exploits from the weekend when he scored four goals against Watford in the Premier League.