Barcelona Transfer News: Neymar wants Gabriel Jesus to join the Catalans
Brazil star Neymar has urged Palmeiras forward Gabriel Jesus to join him at Barcelona in the summer transfer window. The 19-year-old is attracting a lot of interest from top clubs across Europe. This includes the likes of Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United and their league rivals Manchester City.
The player's agent Cristiano Simoes admitted that the Citizens are in the advanced stage in sealing the deal for the talented attacker.
“Is it done with Manchester City?” Simoes told in an interview with Calciomercato, as quoted by Football Italia.
“I can say that we’re defining some contractual issues, we’re working on that. Could he go to Inter? We’re very advanced with Manchester City. We’ll see.”
According to Globoesporte from Brazil, United are ready to pay a fee of €38 million in order to bring Jesus to Old Trafford. However, they have to fight with City for his signature and the same report also suggests that the Red Devils need to convince the player to join them.
Reportedly, Pep Guardiola personally called the player to tell him to join City. The forward remains convinced and this has seen him reject a chance to join Barcelona in the summer transfer window.
However, Neymar believes it will be great if Jesus could reject offers from the Premier League giants in order to join him at the Catalan club.
"I spoke with Gabriel Jesus. Not only with him, but also told other players how it feels to play for Barcelona and to live in the city," Neymar said, as reported by ESPN FC.
"He is a great player. We know lots of clubs want him. He needs to know the right moment to leave, we want the good players by our side. If he comes to Barcelona he will be very happy. Maybe we're the biggest club in the world. The city and the day-to-day are wonderful."
Both Neymar and Jesus are included in Brazil's squad for the 2016 Rio Olympics, which will take place in their homeland. Barcelona star has set his sights on winning the goal medal with his national side later next month.
"Winning is a very good thing. The pressure is part of the football, I'm here for that. It's part of the game this pressure when I'm on the field," he explained.
"They [the other players] are young, but we know our responsibility of playing for Brazil in our home country, in the Olympics. I'm not concerned with that. Fear takes away the will to win. I'm not afraid of losing. If we lose, may it happen with pride."