Gabriel Jesus has dropped a major revelation that could reshape Arsenal’s summer transfer strategy, openly admitting he thinks daily about a return to his boyhood club Palmeiras — even as the Gunners weigh whether to cash in on the Brazilian forward.
In a candid interview that has sent shockwaves through north London, the 28-year-old striker confessed that the pull of Palmeiras remains as strong as ever. Speaking to RomárioTV, Jesus laid bare his emotions: “I follow it quite closely. My bond with Palmeiras has never been broken. Whenever I’m in Brazil, unfortunately I also have my injuries, which I receive treatment for there. I always follow it very closely and obviously I dream of returning to play one day, not to end my career. I think about returning every day, my wife can attest to that.”
The comments come at a pivotal moment for both player and club. Since his €52 million arrival from Manchester City in 2022, Jesus has seen his role at Arsenal diminish dramatically. Once a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s attacking setup, he has been reduced to a fringe player this season, making just two Premier League starts. A combination of recurring injuries — most notably an 11-month absence following a cruciate ligament tear — and the squad’s evolution under Arteta have pushed him down the pecking order behind Viktor Gyokeres, Kai Havertz, and Leandro Trossard.
With his contract set to expire next summer, an exit this window is now a genuine possibility. Arsenal are reportedly open to selling the forward, and interest has already surfaced from clubs such as Atletico Madrid. However, any departure would likely hinge on the right offer and the club’s ability to bring in a suitable replacement.
Jesus, meanwhile, has made no secret of his affection for Palmeiras. He even spent time with the Brazilian side during the recent international break to aid his fitness recovery. Just last week he hinted that “the doors were always open” for a return, and his latest comments go further, framing it not as a retirement plan but as a genuine, ongoing dream.
The timing could hardly be more significant for Arsenal. As the Gunners look to strengthen their attack, reports suggest they are already eyeing younger, high-potential targets — including Bayer Leverkusen’s Christian Kofane, whose agent recently claimed Arsenal are “in pole position” for the €100m-rated striker. Jesus’ public yearning for a homecoming adds another layer of complexity to what was already shaping up to be a busy summer at the Emirates.
For Jesus, the situation is equally layered. A fan favourite during his early years at Arsenal, he has battled hard to regain full fitness and prominence. Yet his heartfelt admission reveals a player whose heart may no longer be fully aligned with life in north London. Whether Arsenal choose to sell now, allow his contract to run down, or attempt to keep him as a squad option remains to be seen — but one thing is clear: the Brazilian’s “dream” of returning to Palmeiras is very much alive, and he thinks about it every single day.