The Pep Guardiola effect is in full swing at Manchester City with the Citizens beating Barcelona to the signing of 19-year-old Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus.
City and Jesus’ Brazilian club, Palmeiras, have agreed to a £27 million fee with the attacking talent set to stay in Brazil until December. Jesus has been widely touted as the greatest prospect to emerge from Brazil since Neymar — the two will be in action together for the Selecao at the 2016 Olympic Games.
Jesus began playing first team football with Palmeiras in 2015, scoring 4 goals in 20 matches for the Sao Paulo-based club. This season, he’s been the toast of the Brasileirao, scoring 10 goals in 14 appearances. Those numbers are incredibly similar to what Neymar was producing with Santos at the same age.
Jesus has been phenomenal this season. Photo: @Escojar | Twitter
Neymar reportedly attempted to attract Jesus to the Camp Nou, the two are close friends, but the 19-year-old preferred Manchester City and the tutelage of Pep Guardiola.
The forward has signed a five-year contract at the Etihad and had this to say: “Manchester City is one of the best clubs in the world so I’m really pleased to sign. We have many great talents in the team and a fantastic manager in Pep Guardiola that I can learn so much from.”
Manchester City have now spent close to £100 million on Ikay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Nolito and Jesus this transfer window.
(H/T: The Guardian)
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