Arsenal tipped to 'cash in' on £45m signing this January in bid to build elite striker transfer funds

Gabriel Jesus has struggled for game time at Arsenal, especially this season, starting in just one of his nine appearances in the Premier League - he is also yet to record a goal or an assist in the campaign thus far.

The former Manchester City striker joined the Gunners in July 2022 for £45 million and despite finding success early in his career at Arsenal, Jesus has had several injury issues which have stalled his attempts to become a first team regular. This stop-start inconsistency means he could be a player on his way out in the upcoming January transfer window.

Arsenal have been starting Kai Havertz up front in place of Jesus, but the German is by no means a natural out-and-out striker. They could look to sell Jesus with the view to use some of the profit to fund signing a new attacker to help Mikel Arteta’s side with their title charge.

Former Manchester United, Tottenham and West Ham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Arteta doesn’t see the Brazilian striker as part of his long-term plans at the Emirates any more.

He said: “I think they’ll be open to offers in January. Mikel Arteta and his staff will be assessing the team and asking whether these players improve them. Jesus isn’t viewed as somebody who can make a difference to the team.

“We know they’ve been looking at new strikers and wingers to improve their starting XI. I think that says more about where they view his future than anything else. So if they have the opportunity to part ways in January and get some money in, I’ve heard that’s something they’d be interested in doing.”

Arsenal have been linked to several elite strikers

The Gunners could decide to use any money from a sale of Jesus to fund their pursuit of a top goal scorer who can help them in their pursuit of league leaders Liverpool and Manchester City.

Arsenal have been in poor form as of late, they are without a win in their last four Premier League games and now sit nine points away from Liverpool after 11 matches. Bringing in a top striker could give Arteta’s side the boost they need to catch up in the title race.

Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres is a name that has been linked with Arsenal since the start of the summer. His release clause will be just £68m in January which for a striker that has scored 16 goals in 11 games, is not an astronomical figure. However, manager Ruben Amorim’s recent move from Lisbon to join Man Utd could see the lethal striker opt for a move to Old Trafford instead.

Victor Osimhen remains available as he is just on loan at Galatasaray. He has a clause in his Napoli contract stipulating that he could be signed by a top team in January. However, the Gunners would have to beat rivals Chelsea to his signature as the Blues have been strongly linked to the Nigerian international.

The Gunners have also been linked to Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic who was identified as an alternative to Gyokeres should the Gunners struggle to sign the Swedish international.