Manchester City golden boy Gabriel Jesus in line for new bumper contract

GABRIEL JESUS has been nominated for Europe’s presitigous ‘Golden Boy’ award – and is in line to hit the jackpot by signing a new contract just nine months after joining Manchester City in a £27million move from Palmeiras.

Gabriel JesusGETTY

Gabriel Jesus has made an instant impact since his move to England in January

The Brazilian striker’s impressive start in English football – he has scored 12 goals in 17 appearances so far – has prompted the club’s hierarchy to open talks on a new deal to replace the four-and-a-half-year contract he signed in January.

Jesus, 20, is set to double his £70,000-a-week wages to bring him more in line with City’s other first-team regulars and fend off any future interest from European super powers like Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

Jesus could be rested as City go to West Brom in the Carabao Cup tonight (Wed) with Pep Guardiola ready to rotate his squad. Youngsters Phil Foden and Brahim Diaz are set to feature and goalkeeper Claudio Bravo could also get a run-out.

West Brom manager Tony Pulis, meanwhile, could not be happier that West Brom did not cash in on skipper Jonny Evans.

Manchester City and Leicester headed a group of clubs desperate to try and land the 29-year-old defender.

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We’re pleased that his value is that and I’m even more pleased we never took it

West Brom boss Tony Pulis

Evans was signed for £6m – peanuts compared with the £30m price tag on him before the window closed.

Pulis said: “We’re pleased that his value is that and I’m even more pleased we never took it. He has done well here in lots of respects. He has become a better defender.

“He has always technically been a good centre-half but he has become a better defender and the responsibility now of being captain will take him on again.”

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