Arsenal are "cautiously optimistic" of getting a deal for Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus over the line.
The north London club put in nearly six months of work with the forward's representative Marcello Pettinati to ensure they were in pole position to recruit him from the Premier League champions this summer.
Jesus indicated his desire to move to the Emirates at the start of June and the only hindrance so far has been the distance between the valuations of both clubs.
During initial talks, Arsenal mooted a figure of around £30m given the Brazil international has a year left on his contract, but the asking price is £50m.
City highlighted the player is still just 25, has not reached his ceiling, possesses a proven record in the final third, and works intensely off the ball. Selling to a rival Premier League side also generally carries a premium.
Arsenal are drafting a package closer to City's expectation and are confident of tying up their priority target even though there is slight anxiety over the amount of interest shown in Jesus, including from Chelsea.
However, his camp feel the City player Thomas Tuchel is keener on is Raheem Sterling.
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