City add more attacking flair to their squad with the capture of Gabriel Jesus
But the latest wide attacker won’t join until January
Manchester City followed up the £37m capture of Leroy Sane yesterday with a £27m deal for Palmeiras wonderkid Gabriel Jesus.
The lowdown on our new signing Gabriel Jesus.
FACTFILE ➡️ https://t.co/WDjMkrlyp0 #WelcomeGabriel #mcfc pic.twitter.com/SxFGVp62nv
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 3, 2016
The youngster will become City’s sixth signing of the summer and will link up with his new team mates in January after the end of the Brazilian domestic season this year.
He has scored 19 goals in 30 games so far this season for Palmeiras and, while he has been utilised as a left winger who cuts inside on his favoured right foot, he can play in any forward attacking role on either flank or centrally.
The 19-year-old attacker, who has drawn comparisons with Neymar, can be seen in the Olympic Soccer tournament which has only just started in Brazil.
After that he will complete the Brazilian domestic season and rest before joining City at the start of the January transfer window.
The move represents a change in policy at City who had previously signed South American talent, such as Sergio Aguero, Fernandinho, and Fernando who had proven themselves in European leagues.
Such players usually came with inflated price tags.
There is no doubt that the influence of City manager Pep Guardiola convinced him to sign for City despite having the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona cast their eye over him.
Man City’s defensive options under the spotlight
City’s remaining major target of the summer, central defender John Stones, played in Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney’s testimonial against Everton tonight.
The England defender, 22, has come off a poor season by his own standards and although he did go to France with England in the Euro 2016 Championships he didn’t get any game time.
Everton are standing firm in their valuation of £50m for the former Barnsley youth product which would make him the most expensive English player.