Paul Merson tells Gabriel Jesus to stay at Man City amid Arsenal transfer links

Paul Merson believes Gabriel Jesus should stay at Manchester City amid speculation linking the striker with an exit from the Etihad Stadium.

Despite not starting week in, week out under Pep Guardiola, Jesus has provided a number of vital contributions in recent weeks.

The 25-year-old scored four times in a 5-1 win over Watford in the Premier League, and netted again in the 4-3 victory against Real Madrid in the first leg of City’s Champions League semi-final tie.

But reports have suggested that Arsenal have held talks with the Brazil international’s representatives over a summer move to the Emirates Stadium.

Meanwhile, City look to be leading the chase for Borussia Dortmund centre-forward Erling Haaland.

Whether the Premier League champions bring in Haaland or not, Arsenal legend Merson believes Jesus should remain at City.

‘Gabriel Jesus should stay at Manchester City. There’s speculation about his future and people think he’s unhappy he doesn’t play enough – but he’s started 17 Premier League games this season,’ Merson told the Daily Star.

‘I think that’s a lot. He’s played 36 times for City this season. And started a lot of big, big games. Where is he going to go where he can do any better than that?

‘Even if City sign Erling Haaland, he shouldn’t leave. No way. This is a team that is going to go deep in four competitions every year and he will always get games.

‘Pep Guardiola trusts him. He misses a lot of chances but you can play him anywhere in the forward line and he always keeps trying to get in there.

‘He still has a big role to play this season. I don’t think Haaland would play a huge amount more than that if he goes there.

‘But it’s mind-blowing how open City were against Real Madrid. It could cost them the