Arsenal open to big-name January sale after ‘legal dispute’

Arsenal are open to letting Gabriel Jesus go in the winter, but a transfer could be difficult as the player is currently without an agent following a ‘legal dispute,’ according to Brazilian media.

The striker has had a strange few months. Jesus returned for pre-season fitter than ever and determined to become a key part of Arsenal’s team after losing his place to Kai Havertz last season.

However, fresh injury troubles quickly derailed his campaign and regular minutes have subsequently been hard to come by for the 27-year-old. The player, of course, is unhappy about this state of affairs but the situation appears unlikely to change.

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This, then, has given rise to renewed speculation about this future. A potential transfer was already being mooted in the summer and now there is once again talk of a move for January.

Jesus to leave Arsenal in January?

One of the most persistent rumours in recent months has involved a return to Palmeiras, but talks of a move back to Brazil had died down in recent weeks following comments by club president Leila Pereira in which she emphatically ruled out a deal.

Brazilian outlet UOL has now provided an update on Jesus’ situation, confirming that a return to Palmeiras is unlikely. The report does state, however, that the striker visited the club’s facilities for informal talks in the summer.

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At this stage in his career, Jesus would prefer to remain in Europe and Arsenal, it is claimed, are open to letting him go in January if a favourable deal can be struck. The problem is that he currently finds himself without representation.

Jesus’ agent lost the player due to a ‘legal dispute’ and it seems that the report does not expect the situation to be resolved before January. This means that it could be difficult for Jesus to find a new club in the winter.

Arsenal’s desire to sign an ‘impactful replacement’ could help facilitate a transfer but it is difficult to imagine that any of their top targets, such as Viktor Gyokeres, will be on the market in January. In fact, the striker has already all but ruled out a premature exit from Sporting CP, so it would be a risk to sell Jesus mid-season.