have been handed a major boost in the race to sign Gabriel Jesus by their north rivals Tottenham.
The striker has been earmarked as a priority target by Mikel Arteta, who is desperate to bolster his forward line this summer.
Arsenal’s hopes of qualifying for the were ultimately undermined by a lack of goals last season as the Gunners failed to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Alexandre Lacazette scored only four Premier League goals last term and joined Lyon on a free transfer earlier this month, leaving Eddie Nketiah as the only senior striker on the club’s books.
The England Under-21 international committed his long-term future to his boyhood club last week when he signed a new deal, but Arteta is still short in the goalscoring department.
Jesus is ready to seek a fresh challenge having grown tired of playing second fiddle to the likes of Sergio Aguero and has no interest in performing a similar role following the arrival of Erling Haaland.
Arsenal are understood to be the Brazil international’s preference given his previous relationship with Arteta, who served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at City, while he likely to be guaranteed a starting spot.
Despite having been in pole position all summer long, Arsenal are yet to agree a fee with the Premier League champions, which has alerted the likes of Chelsea and Tottenham.
Earlier this week it was reported that Spurs were ‘moving under the radar’ in an attempt to hijack Arsenal’s move for Jesus.
According to , however, Antonio Conte’s club has no plans to bid for the 25-year-old and will concentrate on alternative targets instead, including the likes of Richarlison who is also on Chelsea’s radar.
Spurs are also monitoring the situation of Napoli striker Victor Osimhen, while Conte and Spurs’ sporting director, Fabio Paratici, are long-term admirers of Inter’s Argentina international Lautaro Martinez.
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