Where Could Gabriel Jesus Land Next? His Most Likely Destinations Ranked

Gabriel Jesus's Arsenal journey went full circle at Selhurst Park on Sunday. The very ground where he made his dazzling 2022 debut for the Gunners was where he got his hands on yet another Premier League title.

Jesus netted in the champions' 2–1 win over Crystal Palace, his 32nd goal for the club. A career that began with such promise in north London has been derailed by serious injury problems, and with just one year left on his contract, the 29-year-old's future remains uncertain.

"There's a lot of talk about my future, and I'll be completely honest. It hasn't been easy for a player who always wants to grow and contribute on the pitch given everything that's happened," he told ESPN Brazil following Arsenal's title celebration.

"The future is in God's hands. I still have one year remaining on my Arsenal contract. I want to play and show myself that I'm still capable of performing at the highest level."

While Jesus made useful contributions when called upon this season, he functioned as the Gunners' third-choice striker behind Viktor Gyökeres and Kai Havertz. If he hopes to feature regularly next season and beyond, the Brazilian will almost certainly need to depart the Emirates Stadium.

Here are three possible next destinations for Jesus, ranked by a blend of suitability and likelihood.

3. AC Milan

AC Milan have dismantled their old structure and are rebuilding from scratch. Following their failure to qualify for Champions League football, the club parted company with manager Massimiliano Allegri, sporting director Igli Tare, technical director Geoffrey Moncada and CEO Giorgio Furlani.

As a result, the Rossoneri find themselves in a state of flux. It seems improbable that their summer overhaul will be confined to the senior management, with significant changes to the playing squad also expected.

Frustrating attack leader Rafael Leão could be offloaded, and the club are desperately in need of a reliable center forward. Leão and Christian Pulisic were the only players to reach double figures in goals this season, while recognised strikers Santiago Giménez and Niclas Füllkrug managed just one goal apiece. The elusive Christopher Nkunku chipped in with eight.

Allegri's outdated philosophy certainly didn't help matters, but Milan's striker problem predates the now-departed Italian coach.

Two serious knee injuries have set Jesus back in recent years, yet there have been enough encouraging signs this season to indicate he can still perform at elite level. The sharpness and fluidity may have faded, but the Brazilian's solid fundamentals remain very much in place.

High wages could prove a stumbling block, which is why other Italian clubs — most notably Juventus and Napoli — are unlikely to mount a serious bid.

2. Atlético Madrid

Swap deals are relatively rare, yet every transfer window brings fresh talk of high-profile player exchanges.

The latest speculation centres on Arsenal's reported interest in Atlético Madrid marksman Julián Álvarez, who has also drawn attention from Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.


Eager to add more attacking punch to their already well-organised and defensively solid setup, the Gunners are prepared to spend big to land Álvarez, a former treble winner with Manchester City.

Encouragingly, some reports indicate that Atléti have shown interest in signing Jesus, with the Brazilian potentially being offered as part of a part-exchange arrangement to help Arsenal secure their man.

Jesus's market value is only declining, so his inclusion in any deal is unlikely to significantly reduce Atléti's steep asking price for Álvarez. Perhaps the Gunners could also throw Gabriel Martinelli into the equation.

1. Palmeiras

The striker's recurring knee injuries have cut short his prime years and accelerated the twilight of his career. Given how early Jesus burst onto the scene in his home country, it seems unlikely that his playing days will extend well into his mid-30s.

The Brazilian may still have the chance to stay in Europe's top leagues this summer. Nevertheless, he has already made his long-term intentions clear — he wants to return to where it all began: Palmeiras. So why not make that move now?

"It's my dream [to go back to Palmeiras]; I've already said that I'll return one day, I just don't know when — whether it's sooner or later — so yes, I think about it every single day," Jesus told ESPN.

The Brazilian club have also entertained the idea. Last October, president Leila Pereira assured fans that Jesus would soon be "coming back home."

Boosted financially by their involvement in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, the moment may finally be right for the striker to make his long-awaited return to Palmeiras.