MX23RW : Thursday, May 16 10:42:59| >> :120:10601:10601:

Real Madrid 'still interested in Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus'

Real Madrid 'still interested in Gabriel Jesus'
© Reuters
Real Madrid reportedly still hold an interest in Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus, whom they could not strike a deal for in the summer due to La Liga rules over non-EU players.

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.

Gabriel Jesus in action for Arsenal on October 6, 2022© 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.

Gabriel Jesus in action for Arsenal on September 4, 2022© 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.

ID:498214:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5403:

Click here for more stories about Gabriel Jesus

Click here for more stories about Arsenal

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti on August 10, 2022
Read Next:
Carlo Ancelotti rules out January signings at Real Madrid
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Chelsea371791175621360
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle371761481602157
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd37176145558-357
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton371212135560-548
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!