Arsenal 28yo slams January transfer reports as baseless nonsense
Gabriel Jesus has dismissed reports of a potential January transfer, suggesting they are both baseless and absurd.
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Despite his repeated rebuttals, Gabriel Jesus continues to be linked with a January move away from Arsenal, with Sky Sports claiming last week that a number of Premier League clubs were interested in a move during the winter window.
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Outside of the Premier League, Jesus’ former club Palmeiras have also been linked with a move, with club president Leila Pereira saying she believed the striker would “come home” before long.
Yet Jesus has once again downplayed these reports over the past week, denying any contact with Palmeiras or anyone else.
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Speaking to Brazilian media, Jesus claimed that journalists were talking about his situation without any basis and that it would make no sense for him to leave Arsenal in January.
“There was never any contact with any other club,” Jesus told Revista Placar (via Goal). “My wish, as I always say, is to return to Palmeiras. And Palmeiras also wants me to come back.
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“When I feel it is the right time to return to Palmeiras, I will decide on that with Arsenal.
“But we are talking about a player who has been out for nine months and is now fighting to get back into the team. Some journalists are talking without any basis.
“After such a complex operation, it makes no sense for me to leave the club now.”
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A January stint always seemed like the most logical outcome, given Jesus’ long-term injury. Arsenal will not get value for money from a sale, and Jesus is expected to settle in with a new club at the same time as he makes his injury comeback.
There isn’t much sporting motivation either, given that Arsenal perform well in all competitions. Jesus is unlikely to find another club poised for success where he could play a bigger role after all this time on the sidelines.
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With the World Cup looming this summer, the best way for Jesus to return to the team would be to re-enter the Arsenal team, score goals and win trophies to put him back in Brazil boss Carlo Ancelotti’s mind.