Arsenal star admits he is 'interested' in joining former club

Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus has had a long injury lay-off (Picture: Getty)

Gabriel Jesus says his priority is to stay at Arsenal until the end of his contract but admits he is ‘interested’ in joining one of his former clubs.

Jesus has scored 26 goals in 96 appearances for the Gunners since his £45m move from Manchester City in 2022 .

The Brazilian was a key player at the Emirates Stadium during his first two years in north London but missed the second-half of last season through injury.

Jesus is yet to return from the ACL injury he sustained against Manchester United in January but recently said he was making ‘great progress’ with his rehabilitation .

But his exact return date remains unclear and Jesus was left out of Arsenal’s initial squad for the Champions League , which can be updated following the group phase.

It has been reported that Arsenal are ‘open’ to offers for Jesus ahead of the January transfer window , with Palmeiras publicly declaring their interest in bringing him back to Brazil.

Jesus started his career at Palmeiras before completing a £27m move to Man City, where he won four Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola .

Jesus has scored 26 goals in 92 appearances for Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

Contracted to Arsenal until the summer of 2027, Jesus has played down speculation he could leave the club before then, although he admits he is ‘interested’ in returning to Palmeiras.

‘Every day, the [Arsenal] coach and the board say they’re eager for my return,’ Jesus told ESPN Brazil .

‘I don’t see myself outside the club’s plans. I have a contract until 2027, and if it’s not renewed by then, I’ll be at the club at least until 2027.’

Palmeiras president Leila Pereira (Picture: Getty)

Palmeiras president Leila Pereira recently hinted at a deal for Jesus , saying: ‘Gabriel Jesus, I’ll say more. Soon you’re coming back home, Gabriel! One day you’ll return.’

Asked about the Palmeiras transfer links, Jesus added: ‘That interest will always be there, both from them and from me.

‘But there’s been nothing formal. It’s the natural interest of a kid who came through the Palmeiras youth system, went to Europe, and obviously wants to return one day. Everyone at the club knows that.

Mikel Arteta has been without Jesus for almost a year (Picture: Getty)

‘I’m a player, and it’s a little harder to say, but when I feel like returning to Brazil, which isn’t the case right now, my desire is and always will be Palmeiras.’

Jesus described his current injury as ‘the biggest of his life’ but believes he is at least closing in a long-awaited return to the pitch.

‘I’m feeling great, my knee is responding very well,’ the 28-year-old told Arsenal’s matchday programme.

‘I’m looking forward to being around the team again soon, to come back to do what I love to do.

‘It’s been too long… this one is the biggest injury I’ve had in my life. An injury like this, one that is so long, you split up the recovery periods into smaller timings.

‘So now I’m at the stage where I need to hold myself back a little bit because I’m doing great work off the pitches, but it’s tricky because I need to not rush myself too hard over the line.

‘When you can see the end it’s important you don’t push too hard, keep my feet on the floor, and then as soon as the time comes, I will be ready.’