Micah Richards claims Manchester City should NOT sell Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus

Micah Richards insists his former club Manchester City should reject offers for Gabriel Jesus as he feels the forward is ‘a vital part of this team’.

The Brazilian has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal in recent weeks due to their need of a striker.

But his form since that speculation has been outstanding as he has found the net six times in his last three games for Pep Guardiola‘s side to make him the man in-form out of a whole host of attacking options at City. 

Micah Richards insists his former club Manchester City should reject offers for Gabriel Jesus

The Brazilian forward has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal 

‘He’s been brilliant,’ Richards said on Sky Sports ahead of City’s Premier League game against Leeds on Saturday. 

‘What’s so good about him is that you can trust him in any position. He plays on the right, he plays down the centre. 

‘Wherever he plays, he does a great job for the team, not only defensively, but now, he’s getting rewards and scoring goals.

Sky Sports pundit Richards (pictured) believes you can trust Jesus in any position he plays

‘With Man City, we always know they’ll create chances, it’s just about taking them. He was linked about potentially moving away, but if it was my decision, he wouldn’t be going anywhere because he’s a vital part of this team. 

‘The way he presses from the front, the way he reads the play and his all round game has just got better over the years.’

Jesus’s deal at Man City expires in the summer of 2023 and that would appear to  enhance the prospect of a move, but negotiations have not begun between the two clubs.

Jesus – who signed for City from Palmeiras in 2016 – has started just a mere 18 Premier League games for Pep Guardiola’s men this season and has scored eight goals in those matches.

Jesus’s deal at Man City expires in the summer of 2023 with enhancing a potential move away

His game time is also likely to be reduced even further if City complete the signing of Erling Haaland from Borussia Dortmund as expected.

The Gunners, however, are looking to strengthen their attacking options in the summer transfer window with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah set to leave the club on free transfers. 

The 25-year-old would be the main talisman in north London rather than competing with a whole host of talents in Manchester including the potential Haaland incoming.