Man City’s latest signing Gabriel Jesus: ‘the new Neymar’

Pep Guardiola has wasted no time in taking Manchester City’s summer spending spree past the £100million mark, but having landed the ‘new Neymar’ in Gabriel Jesus, the 19-year-old’s signature could turn out to be priceless.

Jesus put pen to paper on this morning on a four-and-a-half year deal, with City and Palmeiras agreeing a £27million deal for the Brazil starlet.

He is currently with the Brazil squad in Rio ahead of the Olympic Games, but will stay with Palmeiras until the end of the Brazilian league season in early December.

It is unclear whether Guardiola views Jesus as a substitute, competitor, or direct successor for the prolific Sergio Aguero in his new-look City squad, but with 19 goals last season – and numerous comparisons to the likes of Neymar, Robinho and even Ronaldo in the Brazilian media – he is clearly no slouch in front of goal.

“Manchester City is one of the best clubs in the world so I’m really pleased to sign,” Jesus said.

(Photo by Adailton Damasceno/Brazil Photo Press/LatinContent/Getty Images)

“We have many great talents in the team and a fantastic manager in Pep Guardiola that I can learn so much from.

“I’m looking forward to showing the City fans what I can do and I think we’ll have a great future together.”

Jesus can play anywhere across the front three and was voted the Brazilian top-flight’s ‘best newcomer’ last term.

And one of Brazil’s all-time greats, Ronaldo, is already a huge fan of the youngster.

“I look at Gabriel and see myself in the past,” he said.

“I see similarities… him being so young but already having achieved so much and having so much responsibility.

“He’s got a fantastic future ahead of him and he’s already enchanting us with what he’s doing”