Manchester City have completed the signing of Gabriel Jesus, beating Barcelona to the 19-year-old Brazilian forward after agreeing a fee of £27 million (€32 million) with Palmeiras.
Supposedly the hottest prospect in Brazil, rated the most exciting newcomer last season and frequently compared with Neymar, his friend who tried to encourage him to move to the Nou Camp, Jesus scored 19 goals in 30 appearances last season for Palmeiras, to whom he is initially to be loaned back until January.
City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “We are delighted that Gabriel has chosen to join us. He is one of the most exciting young prospects in world football and plays the game in a spectacular way.”
Tournament
Though little known at the moment outside Brazil, that may begin to change quite soon as Gabriel Jesus will be appearing with Neymar in the Olympics football tournament at the Rio Games.
Predominantly a winger, even described in some circles as an old-fashioned winger, like Neymar he can operate equally effectively as a number 10 or striker, hence his impressive goal tally.
Former Brazil striker Ronaldo is a fan, declaring: “I am betting on two great talents that are still developing but already show a lot of skill: Santos’ Gabigol and Palmeiras’ Gabriel Jesus. And they haven’t even turned 20 yet.”
The teenager has signed a five-year deal, though if he arrives in Manchester in January he will only spend four and a half years of it in England. Gabriel Jesus’s fee – which could rise to £31 million with add-ons – takes Pep Guardiola’s summer spending to around the £100 million (€119 million) mark after Ikay Gündogan, Nolito and Leroy Sané, though interestingly of the new City manager’s first four signings three of them are wingers.
Wide player
Nolito might be only notionally a wide player, but Sané has already been described as similar in style to Raheem Sterling and Guardiola still has the former Liverpool player to fit into his plans.
City are also believed to be close to signing another 19-year-old from South America in Marlos Moreno, a Colombian striker who is expected to go straight out on loan to Deportivo La Coruña. Talks are understood to be ongoing with Everton’s England defender John Stones. Guardian Service
