Arsenal and Fulham boost as president admits £30m striker will leave, but Neymar won't replace him

Last week, Premier League quartet Nottingham Forest, Newcastle United, Fulham and West Ham stepped up their pursuit of a striker who is generating quite the fanclub.

TBR understands that, just a month after he marked his Brazil debut with a goal in a World Cup qualifying victory over Chile, one of the most coveted forwards in South America has no shortage of cross-Atlantic clubs willing to fund his a flight over the ocean.

London rivals Arsenal and Chelsea have Igor Jesus on their radar already.

Fulham, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest made checks of their own during the November international break, meanwhile, as West Ham lodge an enquiry via intermediaries.

And though Igor Jesus might not have added to his Selecao tally – drawing a blank as Brazil limped to successive 1-1 draws with Uruguay and Venezuela – a January transfer still looks likely.

Botafogo president Durcesio Mello admits as much, confirming that the Rio de Janeiro-based outfit will likely be forced into the market for a replacement.

Igor Jesus sale expected as Arsenal and Chelsea eye Brazil striker

“[Our chief scout] is already working on next year because he knows there will be losses,” Mello tells Resenha Alvinegra. “Probably Igor Jesus.”

While a centre-forward by trade, Igor Jesus likens himself to Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior and Arsenal’s own Gabriel Martinelli due to his speed across the turf, his mobility, and his willingness to pull wide and take on the full-backs.

That goal on his Brazil debut, however, was a finish straight out of a classic number nine’s armoury. A brilliantly-guided header into the far corner.

Igor Jesus would likely be viewed as a rotation option at Arsenal or Chelsea initially, while Newcastle and Nottingham Forest are targeting Yuri Alberto too. Alberto has scored 27 goals this term for Botofogo’s Brazilian Serie A rivals Corinthians.

TBR understands that, in addition to Igor Jesus, Fulham are looking to Gent giant Tolu Arokodare. Despite the excellent form of Raul Jimenez, Marco Silva is keen to add another striker to his squad as Fulham look to challenge for a top-half finish.

Arokodare, a colossus of a striker at 6ft 6ins, has scored eight times in 15 games so far this term over in Belgium.

Neymar will not replace Igor Jesus at Botafogo

Mello, meanwhile, has ruled out the prospect of replacing Igor Jesus with one of the most fabled names in Brazilian football’s history.

“Neymar is one of the greatest players I’ve ever seen play,” Mello adds. “He’s at the same level as Messi and much better than Cristiano Ronaldo.

“But he ruined his career, which culminated in this injury that lasted a little over a year, and now he’s injured again.”

Neymar, a bonafide footballing superstar during his time at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, has featured only seven times for Al Hilal since making a remarkable £77 million move to Saudi Arabia in 2023.

According to The Sun, a deal for Igor Jesus could cost around £30 million.