Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has received a clear instruction from striker Gabriel Jesus regarding his future, as transfer speculation links the club with a move for Inter Milan's Federico Dimarco. The developments come as the Gunners prepare for a crucial Champions League encounter at the San Siro tonight, Tuesday, 20 January 2026.
Gabriel Jesus' Contract Ultimatum
Gabriel Jesus has publicly called on Arsenal to offer him a new contract, expressing his strong desire to stay and win multiple trophies with the club. The Brazilian forward, who joined from Manchester City in 2022, sees his current deal expire in the summer of 2027.
Despite not yet opening formal talks, Jesus is desperate to extend his stay in North London. He made his intentions clear, stating his first target is to remain healthy after an 11-month layoff following surgery on a ruptured cruciate ligament. He could make his first Champions League start since December 2024 against Inter Milan.
"My wish is to stay at Arsenal," Jesus said. "I want to extend my contract, I want to stay, I want to win trophies with Arsenal because I came here with that purpose." He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of football but reiterated that his focus is on achieving success with Arteta's side.
Arsenal's Genuine Interest in Inter Star
As the teams meet on the pitch, transfer links are forming off it. According to reports from Italian publication Tuttosport, Arsenal hold a 'genuine interest' in Inter Milan's left-sided defender Federico Dimarco.
The primary reason for Arsenal's attention is believed to be the 27-year-old Italian's contract situation, with his current deal set to expire in June 2027. The report indicates that Inter plan to open talks over a new contract as early as February to secure his long-term future.
Left-back is an area Arsenal may look to strengthen in the summer, with Riccardo Calafiori, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Jurrien Timber all having played there this season. The report also notes that Manchester United previously tried to sign Dimarco during Ruben Amorim's tenure at Old Trafford.
Context and Concluding Thoughts
Tonight's match sees an Arsenal side top of the Premier League and with a perfect record in this season's Champions League group stage, face an Inter team that ended their unbeaten European run last season. A penalty from Hakan Calhanoglu secured a 1-0 win for the Nerazzurri in that encounter.
Despite the ongoing transfer rumours, the club's activity this month is expected to be limited following a summer spend of approximately £250 million. In other news, Ajax are in talks over a potential loan move for Arsenal's Oleksandr Zinchenko, while three unnamed Arsenal stars have been ruled out of tonight's fixture through injury.
The coming weeks will be critical in determining whether Gabriel Jesus gets his wish for a new deal and if Arsenal's interest in Federico Dimarco develops into a concrete summer move, as Mikel Arteta balances immediate on-pitch challenges with long-term squad planning.
