Manchester City no.9 could opt for an exit this summer

PORTO, PORTUGAL - MAY 29: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City reacts during the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Estadio do Dragao on May 29, 2021 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Carl Recine - Pool/Getty Images)
PORTO, PORTUGAL - MAY 29: Gabriel Jesus of Manchester City reacts during the UEFA Champions League Final between Manchester City and Chelsea FC at Estadio do Dragao on May 29, 2021 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Carl Recine - Pool/Getty Images)

Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus has been rumoured to leave the Etihad this summer. If reports are to be believed true, then his possible destination might be Juventus.

To add more fuel to this speculation, former City star Danilo recently said that he would love to see his Brazilian team-mate join the Bianconeri unit. His words were :

"Gabriel is strong and very intelligent. In Italy he could grow further because in Serie A the teams close well and it is more difficult to score. If I could, I would take him to Juventus."

Though Danilo’s words might just be seen as friendly advice. However, I truly believe that there is more to this than meets the eye as we all know that Jesus has had a tough time at the Etihad last season.

Pep Guardiola’s tactic to play without a proper no.9 was indeed one of the big reasons why the Brazilian striker missed out on regular game time. Facing the facts, Pep’s idea did work wonders for the team but it did come at the cost of axing both Jesus and Sterling from the starting side.

The former Palmeiras forward was short of starts and hence it also took a hit on goalscoring stats. Last term, the 24-year-old attacker had 29 appearances in the Premier League and had scored only nine goals. As per Transfermarkt, out of 29 appearances,the forward had gathered 22 starts and therefore was limited to only 2059 minutes in the English top-flight.

Manchester City’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal in front of empty stands during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England on August 7, 2020. (Photo by Nick Potts / POOL / AFP) (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester City’s Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus celebrates scoring his team’s second goal in front of empty stands during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 second leg football match between Manchester City and Real Madrid at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England on August 7, 2020. (Photo by Nick Potts / POOL / AFP) (Photo by NICK POTTS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Things went from bad to worse for Jesus as he not only endured a dry run in the ongoing Copa America competition but was also handed a two-match ban for his red card in the quarterfinal against Ecuador. This means that the Brazilian international will be absent for selection for the all-important finale against Argentina on Saturday.

So the question is will Manchester City keep their present no.9 for the upcoming season?

I honestly feel the Cityzens won’t keep Jesus for another season. The Sau Paulo born forward has had a decent stint at the Etihad since his summer move back in 2017. However, Pep’s present first-team plans may not involve the Brazilian attacker.

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With Spurs forward Harry Kane being strongly linked to moving to Manchester City this summer, it is a clear hint that the Sky Blues are looking for a new no.9.

I am sure that Jesus would not enjoy the bench role for another season and therefore it will be best for him to shift base this summer.

Juventus are being tipped to make a move for the City forward and I believe an offer worth 40 million pounds could well tempt the English Champions to sell their present striker.