Man City in race to sign Gabriel Jesus, the ‘next Neymar’
Man City sets sights on Brazilian 19-year-old Gabriel Jesus as the latest target to bring to the Etihad.
There might be a reason to pay attention to Olympic football. No, it doesn’t have to do with Neymar but with his 19-year-old teammate, Gabriel Jesus, one of the five forwards selected for the Brazilian Rio Olympics team.
Dubbed the “next Neymar,” the youngster is the newest subject of intrigue among Manchester City transfer prospects, ESPN reports. City director of football Txixi Begiristain confirms the club’s bid for the goalscorer. Accounts vary, but apparently City offered between £20 million to about £27 million to Palmeiras for Jesus, with the condition of the striker spending the remainder of the Brazilian domestic season — until December — at Palmeiras on loan.
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Is Jesus worth this amount of cash? There’s a fair share of evidence to suggest that he is. Jesus has been named newcomer of the year in the Brazilian championship, where he’s scored 26 goals in 67 career appearances for the São Paulo-based club. He was included on then-Brazil manager Dunga’s 2016 Copa America preliminary 40-man squad but missed out on the tournament on account of not having a visa. Although he draws comparison to the poster boy of Brazilian football, his smaller stature and flair brings to mind more Robinho than Neymar, according to Sky Sports. Reportedly, coaches also praise his work ethic and willingness to get behind the ball and defend.
City will also hope to sign Jesus swiftly. The usual vultures apparently are circling in the background: Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and cross-town rival Manchester United. All promise glamor and glory; though, none can promise Pep Guardiola. Still, the sooner City secures Jesus’ talents, the better, as his arrival would add goal-scoring depth and a possible future partner for Sergio Aguero.
In the meantime, dine your eyes on what Jesus can do:
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