Gabriel Jesus has been linked with a move to Barcelona (Getty Images)
According to Sport Mediaset (h/t Manchester Evening News), Manchester City will demand at least £63m for Gabriel Jesus amidst interest from Inter Milan.
The report claims that the Serie A side Inter Milan have identified Jesus as a potential replacement for their star striker Lautaro Martinez, who they could lose this summer. Jesus has become a key player under Spanish coach Pep Guardiola racking up 63 goals and 26 assists for Manchester City since moving to the Etihad in January 2017.
The 23-year-old, however, hasn’t established himself as the first-choice at City due to the presence of club legend Sergio Aguero. The veteran Argentine has been City’s main man in front of goal in the past decade and still continues to be the sides obvious first-choice striker.
Despite being the second-choice striker in the side, Jesus has always delivered when given a chance and is in top form this season also, scoring 10 goals and giving six assists from 27 matches in the Premier League.
Apart from Jesus, City does not have any outright finisher in their side. Hence, rather than putting an asking price over his head, City must hold onto Jesus as he has been a crucial player for them since his move three years ago.
He has already won two Premier League titles and an FA Cup with them and has been instrumental in the side’s success in the last few years.
Now with Aguero injured and currently out of the side, City need him even more as he has always delivered in the Argentine’s absence. Moreover, Aguero turned 32 this month and is clearly nearing the end of his career.
Having proved himself already at City and with his national side Brazil, Jesus would be an excellent successor to the Argentine in the coming days. Hence, it would be wise of City to keep him close rather than letting him go amidst interest from Italy.
It is crystal clear that Manchester City lack depth in their centre-forward department and losing a star striker like Jesus would hurt the side badly in the future. He has proven his worth since joining the club in 2017 and would be an ideal successor for Aguero. Hence, selling him, amid interest from Serie A clubs, would be a major blunder by the Mancunian outfit.
