Everton are reportedly interested in signing Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus in the January 2026 transfer window. Arsenal are willing to sell Jesus for around £30 million, which is considered a significant but necessary investment for Everton. Despite Arsenal having paid about £45 million for him two years ago, they are ready to accept a lower fee to offload the striker. Everton would need to make a “massive” or “huge” offer to secure the deal, reflecting both Jesus’s quality and Arsenal’s valuation. Several clubs, including Everton, are showing interest, but the transfer will require a substantial financial commitment from Everton to bring the Brazilian forward to Goodison Park.
Everton’s Ambition to Sign Gabriel Jesus: A Huge Deal Required
Everton’s potential pursuit of Arsenal’s Gabriel Jesus in the January 2026 transfer window has generated significant buzz, but it is clear that landing the Brazilian forward would require a substantial financial outlay. The club’s interest is genuine, but the complexities surrounding the transfer fee, wages, and injury concerns make this a challenging proposition.
Gabriel Jesus’s Current Situation at Arsenal
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Declining Role and Injuries
Gabriel Jesus arrived at Arsenal in 2022 with high expectations, having been a key player at Manchester City and a four-time Premier League winner. However, his time at Arsenal has been marred by injuries and inconsistent form.- He has scored 26 goals and provided 20 assists in 96 appearances, numbers that fall short of the initial promise.
- Tactical changes, such as Mikel Arteta experimenting with Kai Havertz as a false nine, have limited Jesus’s opportunities.
- The signing of Viktor Gyokeres further reduced his chances of regular starts.
- A serious ACL injury suffered in January 2025 has kept him sidelined for a significant period, and although he is back in training, he is not expected to return to action imminently.
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Arsenal’s Willingness to Sell
Arsenal’s sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly open to offloading Jesus in January, aiming to recoup some of the £45 million spent on him two years ago.- The asking price is around £30 million, reflecting a £15 million loss but also Arsenal’s desire to move on.
- This price tag signals that Arsenal still value Jesus’s quality but are pragmatic about his current standing in the squad.
Everton’s Interest and Financial Realities
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Everton’s Need for a Striker
Everton’s striker options have been underwhelming in the 2025/26 season.- Manager David Moyes has expressed dissatisfaction with the current forwards, including Beto, who has scored only once this season.
- The club’s recruitment team is actively seeking to strengthen the frontline in January, with Jesus emerging as a potential target.
- Bringing in a player of Jesus’s pedigree would represent a significant statement of intent and ambition for Everton.
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The Financial Challenge
Despite Everton’s interest, the financial demands of signing Jesus are considerable.- The transfer fee of £30 million is substantial for a club managing financial constraints.
- Jesus’s wage demands are reportedly high, reflecting his experience and previous status at top clubs.
- Everton would need to structure a “huge” deal, potentially involving negotiations over wages, bonuses, and possibly Arsenal subsidizing part of the salary to make the move viable.
- The club’s new ownership under The Friedkin Group has injected funds, but prudence remains essential to avoid reckless spending.
Risks and Rewards of Signing Gabriel Jesus
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Potential Benefits
- Jesus brings elite quality, technical skill, and Premier League experience that could elevate Everton’s attacking threat.
- His versatility allows him to play as a central striker or in wider roles, offering tactical flexibility.
- A successful signing could energize the fanbase and improve Everton’s competitiveness in the league.
- His work rate and pressing ability align with Moyes’s tactical approach.
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Risks Involved
- Injury history is a major concern; Jesus has struggled with fitness since joining Arsenal, including a serious ACL injury.
- There is no guarantee he will regain his best form or provide a consistent goal-scoring output.
- Everton fans have grown wary of injury-prone signings and may be cautious about welcoming another player with a rehabilitation background.
- The financial commitment could limit Everton’s ability to strengthen other areas of the squad.
Transfer Market Context and Alternatives
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Competition for Jesus
- Other clubs may also be interested in Jesus, both within the Premier League and abroad, which could drive up the price or complicate negotiations.
- Everton’s ability to offer regular playing time and a clear role could be a selling point, but financial muscle is crucial.
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Other Striker Options
- Everton are reportedly monitoring other forwards, including Richarlison, who might become available.
- The January window may be defined by compromise, with clubs and players seeking moves that balance ambition and financial realities.
David Moyes’s Perspective and Everton’s Strategy
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Managerial Ambition
- Moyes has been clear about the need to improve the squad, particularly in attack.
- Signing a player like Jesus would align with his desire to build a competitive team capable of challenging higher up the table.
- Moyes’s experience managing players with injury histories could be beneficial in integrating Jesus back into top-level football.
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Balancing Ambition and Prudence
- Everton’s recruitment strategy under The Friedkin Group has been ambitious but measured.
- The club must weigh the potential impact of Jesus against the financial risks and squad balance.
- A deal for Jesus would likely require careful negotiation and possibly creative financial arrangements.
Fan and Club Implications
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Fan Excitement vs. Skepticism
- The prospect of signing a player of Jesus’s caliber is exciting for Everton supporters, signaling ambition and a step forward.
- However, skepticism remains due to his injury record and the financial scale of the deal.
- Fans will be watching closely to see if Everton can pull off a deal that is both ambitious and sustainable.
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Long-Term Impact
- If successful, Jesus could become a key figure in Everton’s resurgence and help the club push for European qualification.
- Conversely, a failed signing could exacerbate financial pressures and limit future transfer activity.
Conclusion
Everton’s interest in Gabriel Jesus represents a bold move to strengthen their attacking options, but it comes with significant challenges. The £30 million transfer fee, combined with high wage demands and injury concerns, means that Everton would need to put together a huge deal to secure the Brazilian forward. While the potential rewards are substantial, the risks are equally notable. The January transfer window will be a critical period for Everton as they seek to balance ambition with financial prudence, and the pursuit of Gabriel Jesus epitomizes this delicate balancing act. Whether Everton can navigate these complexities and bring Jesus to Goodison Park remains to be seen, but the prospect alone has already sparked considerable interest and debate among fans and pundits alike.
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