Roberto Firmino could actually be the reason why Arsenal end up losing £30m this year

All eyes are on who Arsenal will sign in the final weeks of the summer transfer window, but they need to sell players too.

The Gunners have a huge squad at the moment, and there are a few players who are never going to play for the first team in a competitive game.

Mikel Arteta also has a few players who need to be moved on in order to free up space for new signings as well as reduce the wage bill.

One player who will do both if he leaves is Gabriel Jesus, but he may end up staying now because of Roberto Firmino.

Why Gabriel Jesus is reluctant to leave Arsenal

It is clear as day that Jesus has no place at Arsenal.

Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are both ahead of the Brazilian in the pecking order, while even Mikel Merino has been preferred there at times.

To add to that, Arsenal are in the market for a new striker this summer. Julian Alvarez is the Gunners’ main target, while Victor Osimhen’s name has come up during talks with Galatasaray.

The addition of either of those players will reduce the need for Jesus even more, but the Brazil international could still end up staying.

Huge wages and the possibility to leave on a free transfer next summer is one reason, reports UOL, but there is also another.

The Arsenal number nine dreams of becoming the highest-scoring Brazilian in the history of the Premier League before he leaves.

That record is currently held by Liverpool icon Firmino, who scored 82 goals. Jesus is just three away from matching that record, and he wants to break it.

The ambition certainly deserves praise, but it will cost Arsenal big money.

Arsenal could lose around £30m if Gabriel Jesus refuses to leave

If Jesus refuses to leave Arsenal in order to break Firmino’s record, or for any other reason for that matter, the Gunners will have to take a big financial hit.

The Kroenkes will have to pay the Brazilian’s wages for another year, which, according to Spotrac, is £13.78 million.

Furthermore, Napoli have been linked with a £17 million move to sign Jesus. If he stays, Arsenal will miss out on that money as well and will have to watch him leave for free next summer.

If you add that up, that’s around a £30 million hit, which Arsenal could certainly do without this year.