Man City star opens talks with Arsenal after news of summer signing

Manchester City emerged victorious from their Champions League semi-final first leg encounter with Real Madrid on Tuesday, edging a thrilling encounter 4-3. 

City went ahead in the first minute through Kevin De Bruyne’s header, and lead for the remainder of the match, although it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Citizens.

Gabriel Jesus doubled their lead inside ten minutes, before Karim Benzema pulled one back, the Frenchman’s eighth goal in four Champions League games.

Phil Foden responded quickly with City’s third, before Vinicius Junior made it 3-2.

Bernardo Silva looked to have put the game beyond doubt with a superb strike into the top corner, before Benzema grabbed his second with a panenka penalty after Aymeric Laporte had been penalised for handling the ball.

The breathless encounter means that there is plenty to play for when the two sides meet again next week, and neutrals will be hoping that Wednesday’s second semi-final between Liverpool and Villarreal will be even half as exciting.

Jesus scored City’s second against Real Madrid on Tuesday

In the meantime, though, it appears that Jesus has been planning for a future away from Manchester.

According to Goal, the Brazilian has already opened talks with City’s Premier League rivals Arsenal over a potential move this summer.

The striker, who netted four in the 5-1 win over Watford on Saturday, is expected to leave City following the news that Erling Braut Haaland is close to joining the club.

Jesus, 25, has only stared 17 league games so far this term, and is desperate to guarantee himself more playing time next season.

The imminent arrival of Haaland, though, will threaten his playing time at City even more, and it seems that Jesus has therefore decided to push for a move away.

The report does state that, while he would prefer a move, the striker hasn’t completely ruled out extending his stay in Manchester.

Brazilian international Jesus is entering into the final 12 months of his contract with City this summer, meaning that the upcoming transfer window could be the club’s last chance to cash in on a player that they paid around £28 million for in 2017.

Arsenal, meanwhile, will be in the market for a striker as Alexandre Lacazette is expected to depart the club when his contract expires this summer. Eddie Nketiah could also leave, and Jesus, who has scored 57 goals in 155 games in the Premier League, is a proven option.