Exclusive: Arsenal and Chelsea target Brazil attacker 'similar' to Gabriel Martinelli

Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United are among the Premier League clubs watching Brazil international Igor Jesus with the Botafogo ace scoring on his Selecao debut on Thursday night.

• Exclusive from Graeme Bailey

The 23-year-old attacker shot to fame as he found the net on his first Brazil appearance during the 2-1 victory over Chile in this week’s 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

But TBR can confirm that Igor Jesus has been on the radar of clubs on the other side of the Atlantic for a while already, with Premier League challengers Arsenal one of those who have been keeping a very close eye on his development in South America.

Igor Jesus has seven goals in 19 Botafogo appearances so far this season.

And, after his impressive form earned him a place in the Brazil squad for the first time, Jesus needed only 45 minutes to open his account on the international stage, flicking a clever header into the far corner to set the five-time world champions on their way to a hard-fought victory over Chile.

TBR understands that Arsenal, through their Brazilian director of football Edu Gaspar, have been watching Igor Jesus since he returned home back in July.

Arsenal and Chelsea watch Brazil hero Igor Jesus

Jesus had spent four years in Dubai with Shabab Al-Ahli. He scored 48 goals in 92 appearances in the Middle East.

Arsenal are looking at bringing in a new attacker in 2025, and Igor Jesus could be one they consider. TBR have been told that Chelsea, who have taken a serious interest in the South American market since that Clearlake takeover, are also keen on the former Coritiba man.

As are Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Brentford, and Nottingham Forest.

Nottingham Forest snapped up the now-Arsenal linked Murillo on a bargain deal from Corinthians a year ago, and may feel that lightning can strike twice.

“He is a player with a very strong mentality,” Bernardo Franco, who discovered Jesus as a youngster, tells Globo Esporte. “Extremely competitive and with a very high work rate. A lot of dedication, and commitment.

“A very simple, humble young man of few words. But, when he steps onto the field, he transforms. He competes for every inch, every ball, he doesn’t miss a beat.”

Igor Jesus likens himself to Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli

Igor Jesus himself feels that he fits in rather well in a speedy Brazil frontline, highlighting the similarities between his own game and that of Arsenal attacker Gabriel Martinelli in conversation with the official FIFA website.

“The national team has a very pacey attack when you look at players like Vinicius, Rodrygo and Martinelli,” Jesus says. “I think my game is quite similar to theirs.

“I like to try to attack the spaces and I am mobile. I don’t just stay in the box. I am capable of holding onto balls played out by the keeper and holding off defenders, which I think helps to ease the pressure on the team in tough passages of play.

“I hope I can play well so that I get called up for future squads too.”

Arsenal are watching another young Brazilian in Palmeiras defender Vitor Reis, too.