Real Madrid are reportedly still interested in signing Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus.
The Spanish and European champions were one of the sides linked with a move for the 25-year-old when it became clear that his time at Manchester City was coming to an end.
However, La Liga regulations over signing non-EU players scuppered Los Blancos' move for Jesus, who was also thought to have been on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Juventus.
Arsenal ultimately struck a £45m deal to reunite Jesus with Mikel Arteta, and the Brazil international has made a fast start to life in red and white.
Jesus has come up with five goals and five assists in 15 appearances across all competitions, helping Arsenal top the Premier League table and seal a place in the Europa League knockout rounds.
© Reuters
The former Palmeiras youngster is contracted to the Gunners until the summer of 2027, but according to Fichajes, Real Madrid retain an interest in his services.
Karim Benzema continues to hold the fort up front for Carlo Ancelotti's side, and he is expected to earn an extension on his contract which expires at the end of the current campaign.
However, the Ballon d'Or winner has been plagued by a couple of injuries this term, seeing Rodrygo and Eden Hazard fill in up front while Mariano Diaz also battles his own fitness woes.
Real Madrid are only allowed to have five non-EU players on the books in the senior squad, as well as a limit of three on matchdays, but the capital club addressed that problem over the summer.
Brazil trio Eder Militao, Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior now all hold Spanish citizenship, meaning that spaces have freed up for Ancelotti's men to sign non-EU players in future windows.
© Reuters
Despite making an immediate impact in the Arsenal side upon his arrival, Jesus has since experienced a lull in goalscoring form and has failed to net in his last six matches.
The South American could not change the game off the bench as Arsenal lost 2-0 to PSV Eindhoven in the Europa League on Thursday, but he affirmed before the match that he had settled into life well in North London.
"I'm eating well, sleeping well. I'm enjoying life in my new shirt," Jesus said in his pre-game press conference. "I'm ready to play 50, 60, 70 games this season. I live with my daughter, which helps me to mentally recover from playing and training."
Jesus missed a number of gilt-edged chances in last week's 1-1 draw with Southampton but is confident that the net will soon ripple for him again, adding: "It's happened before and I'm sure it will happen again. That's football. I don't want it to be like this. I want to improve. Next game I will try again and 100% I will score."
The striker will be out to end his barren run in front of goal when Arsenal take on Nottingham Forest at the Emirates on Sunday, and Arteta's side have been bumped down to second ahead of the game after Manchester City's win over Leicester City.
Ben Knapton
