Igor Jesus and Mikel Arteta (Photo by Pedro H. Tesch, Alex Pandling/Getty Images)
Arsenal are reportedly assessing their options in the January transfer window, with a new surprise name among their three main targets.
As well as familiar faces such as Benjamin Cescó and Evan Ferguson, transfer reporter Ben Jacobs also mentioned that the Gunners are keeping an eye on Botafogo striker Igor Jesus.
The 23-year-old isn’t a particularly big name, and he hasn’t tested himself at a particularly high level so far in his career.
Still, Arsenal appear to be eyeing him as a potential option to give them more depth up front following injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.
See Jacobs’ post on the X below about Arsenal’s forward targets…
Arsenal are reviewing their forward options for January.
Interesting in Benjamin Cesc, but likely to be a summer legend.
Evan Ferguson would be interested if Brighton sanctioned an exit, but Arsenal would have to buy or send back Neto. Raheem Sterling’s loan does not have a January release clause.
Botafogo’s… pic.twitter.com/6KEZXhDTPx
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) January 20, 2025
Jesus may not be Arsenal’s absolute priority, as it has been suggested that Cesco would be the ideal target if a deal agreed in January does go through.
Ferguson appears to be another slightly risky option following his recent struggles at Brighton, but Jesus is an unknown quantity.
Having only played in Brazil and the United Arab Emirates so far in his career, it is difficult to know how well he will adapt to the demands of top clubs in the Premier League and Champions League.
Who should Arsenal sign this January?
Arsenal fans will have their own ideas about who the best forward players are this winter, but the club certainly need to be realistic.
Getting the player you want mid-season is never easy, so they have to weigh up how much they need someone, or really anyone, to come in now, or whether it’s worth waiting for a better option in the summer.
Jesus may be more realistic this month, but it’s hard to imagine the Brazilian being a better option than Sesco, who is certainly worth waiting until the summer.
