Arsenal are desperately looking to add a striker to Mikel Arteta’s ranks before the transfer window slams shut, but they aren’t being helped by former sporting director Edu Gaspar.
Gabriel Jesus is out for the season with an ACL injury, meaning Mikel Arteta has just Kai Havertz as a senior option to call upon up front.
Leandro Trossard is capable of filling in for Havertz if needed, although the Belgian is currently starting frequently out wide and would need replacing himself if he were to deputise for the German.
Cunha is a target for Arsenal, although Wolves aren’t said to be willing to sanction a departure for their star man.
Arteta may need to look further afield and utilise the club’s contacts outside of the Premier League to secure a forward at the eleventh hour.
Nottingham Forest are interested in Arsenal target Igor Jesus
With English clubs likely to charge a premium for their best players in January, making a move for a lesser known player elsewhere in the world could be the move for the Gunners.
Arsenal have reportedly made contact with Igor Jesus, a Brazilian striker who has impressed for Botafogo in Serie A over the last year and has been described as ‘incredible’ by journalist Zach Lowry.
Arteta is an admirer of the player, although it now seems as though Edu is also fond of the forward.
According to South American journalist Eduardo Burgos, Nottingham Forest have informally asked Botafogo about Jesus’ situation.
The Premier League high-flyers’ owner Evangelos Marinakis has spoken directly to Botafogo’s owner John Textor about the plausibility of negotiating a deal for Jesus.
The Brazilian giants are said to be demanding in the region of £30 million for the 23-year-old.
It’s not clear as to whether this interest from Forest is being initiated by Edu, although given Jesus has been linked with Arsenal over the last month, it’s likely that the Brazilian football administrator has carried one of his pre-existing targets to his new club.
Edu left Arsenal in early November and has joined Marinakis to oversee the Greek’s network of clubs.
Arsenal shouldn’t target Jesus anyway
While Jesus looks looks a promising talent, Arsenal should look elsewhere for a striker.
The Botafogo man was playing in the UAE Pro-League until last year and thus doesn’t have the requisite experience to justify the Gunners’ forking out a significant fee for him whilst they’re in a title race.
| Igor Jesus’ Serie A Statistics 2024 | |
| Appearances | 22 |
| Goals | 5 |
| Assists | 3 |
| Shots per 90 | 3.59 |
| Expected goals per 90 | 0.42 |
| Key Passes per 90 | 1.3 |
| Expected Assists per 90 | 0.1 |
| Tackles and Interceptions per 90 | 0.62 |
Arsenal need a striker who will guarantee goals in the Premier League and is either entering their prime or in it.
They cannot afford to add another developmental player to their squad when they’re looking to win major honours right now.
Premier League-proven options such as Matheus Cunha and Alexander Isak, although much more expensive, represent much more sensible acquisitions.
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