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Tottenham Hotspur 'end interest in Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 23 June 2022

Tottenham 'end interest in Gabriel Jesus'

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly end their interest in Manchester City's Gabriel Jesus, who is expected to join North London rivals Arsenal.

Tottenham Hotspur are no longer interested in signing Manchester City attacker Gabriel Jesus, according to a report.

The 25-year-old will soon enter the final 12 months of his contract with the Premier League champions, who are expected to let him leave for the right price this summer.

Jesus ended the 2021-22 season with eight goals and nine assists from 28 Premier League outings, registering 13 goals and 12 assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.

However, the Brazil international is not a week-in-week-out starter under Pep Guardiola, and he supposedly wants to be the star man at his next club.

Tottenham have been tipped to compete for Jesus's signature next summer, as Antonio Conte seeks backup and competition to Harry Kane for the 2022-23 season.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte pictured on May 12, 2022 © Reuters

However, the Evening Standard claims that Spurs no longer hold an interest in signing the former Palmeiras starlet as Arsenal close in on his signature.

Spurs' North London rivals are said to have already verbally agreed a deal for the £50m-rated Jesus, who is set to become Arsenal's highest earner at £220k per week.

Mikel Arteta's side may supposedly be ready to announce Jesus's arrival before the end of the month, leaving Tottenham to focus on other targets for their attacking ranks.

Jesus is seemingly set to leave City having scored 95 and set up 46 goals in 236 outings for the club, winning four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups and the FA Cup in Manchester.

The report adds that Tottenham are instead set to prioritise moves for two of Jesus's compatriots in Everton's Richarlison and Leeds United's Raphinha, the latter of whom has also been the subject of interest from Arsenal.

Leeds United's Raphinha celebrates scoring their first goal on May 22, 2022 © Reuters

Leeds' Premier League survival means that the club can afford to play hardball in negotiations with interested parties, and suitors may have to fork out £60m to sign the 25-year-old.

Arsenal are believed to have already seen one bid for Raphinha rejected by Leeds, and Everton are also expected to demand a hefty fee for Richarlison's services.

With Dejan Kulusevski immediately cementing his place in the first team after arriving in January, Steven Bergwijn and Lucas Moura are both being tipped to leave Spurs in the near future.

Lucas has already hinted that he will leave as a free agent when his contract expires at the end of next season, while Bergwijn is understood to be in talks over a move to Ajax.

Tottenham have already welcomed Yves Bissouma, Ivan Perisic and Fraser Forster to the club this summer, and Conte is also keen to strengthen his attack and centre-back ranks before the window shuts.