Arsenal eyeing deal for 25yo striker in January, his club have definitive stance
Arsenal have been linked with a surprise move for Juventus striker Jonathan David ahead of the winter transfer window, according to Calciomercato.
The Gunners recently welcomed Gabriel Jesus back to Premier League action against Wolverhampton Wanderers after a long-term injury lay-off.
Jesus will be eyeing more minutes against Everton this weekend, but this has not stopped the speculation linking him with a move away from the club.
Calciomercato cite that Arsenal want to permanently get rid of Jesus in either January or next summer
The Gunners have their sights on landing David in a possible swap for Jesus. They are also open to a loan agreement for a player exchange this winter.
Manager Mikel Arteta ‘likes’ David, who ‘could be useful’ as a backup striker, but Juventus have no desire to land Jesus in an exchange deal next month.
David is not indispensable at the Bianconeri, but he could leave in the summer. Juventus are reluctant to sign Jesus, given his expensive salary and physical condition after a long-term injury.
Jesus has also been offered to AC Milan, but the Rossoneri are looking elsewhere too.
David-Jesus swap talk could be agent-driven
David had an impressive 2024/25 season with Lille, registering 25 goals and 12 assists in 49 games. He made the switch to Juventus on a free transfer last summer, but has failed to impress.
The 25-year-old has managed just three goals and one assist from 21 outings. He has a solitary goal in Serie A, which came during the curtain-raiser against Parma in Turin.
David has struggled to cope with the jump away from Ligue 1. Considering his scoring woes at Juventus, it makes no sense for the Gunners to swap him with Jesus this winter.
The speculation may be agent-driven. Jesus’ representatives could be trying to secure him a move to Serie A to boost his playing time and World Cup selection prospects.
The Brazilian is completely out of the picture under head coach Carlo Ancelotti, but the scenario could change if he can make regular goal contributions between January and May.
Jesus obviously knows that he won’t be a guaranteed starter upfront at Arsenal. Viktor Gyokeres has been the regular number nine, and Kai Havertz is expected to return pretty soon.
It remains to be seen whether the Brazilian pushes for a winter exit. Arteta, on his part, has ruled out the possibility of the 28-year-old leaving the club during the upcoming transfer window.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
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