Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus met with Palmeiras for ‘informal talks’ with the Brazilian club at their new youth training centre in June.
That’s according to UOL, who say talks have been held with his former club about a return, but it is unlikely to happen.
They say that Jesus ‘has the door open’ to leave Arsenal in the January transfer window but Palmeiras remain pessimistic about the possible return.
They already know that Jesus would prefer to remain in European football if he leaves Arsenal, having spoken to him when he visited the club’s new youth training centre while holidaying in Brazil.
He held ‘informal conversations’ with club employees at that time but then decided to stay at Arsenal and see out his deal.
The Gunners didn’t want to sell at the time but have now changed their mind, and it’s stated they would be happy to sell to help fund a deal for Sporting Club de Portugal’s Viktor Gyökeres. Palmeiras approached Arsenal in October to find out if a negotiation would be viable but were pushed back.
Now the situation is different, but the finances would be tricky for Palmeiras as Arsenal want to avoid a huge loss on the €52m they paid Manchester City. Jesus also earns a salary that is ‘completely incompatible’ with Brazilian football.
Those two factors, plus a desire to remain in Europe as he’s only 27-years-old, mean a return to his former club is looking unlikely at this moment in time despite Arsenal opening the door to a transfer.
