Manchester City transfer news: Gabriel Jesus poised to move to the Etihad this January

Reports have suggested that City saw off competition from Real Madrid to sign the Brazilian

Gabriel Jesus in training as part of Brazil's Rio Olympics preparations (Getty)

Palmeiras forward Gabriel Jesus will join Manchester City in January thanks to a last-ditch scoop orchestrated by Pep Guardiola, according to Spanish reports.

The Brazilian looks set to make the move to the Etihad in a deal worth a reported €32m after Guardiola fought off interest from a number of European clubs, Real Madrid included.

Reports from Marca claim that Los Blancos were beaten to the 19-year-old after the City boss contacted the player directly by phone and convinced him to join his side over other European suitors.

Why Gabriel will move in January and not this summer remains unexplained.

Real Madrid are particularly displeased by the development, the reports suggest, having monitored Gabriel for a while now and have taken issue with Guardiola’s tactic of approaching players under contract.

He has implemented the strategy on a number of occasions throughout his managerial career, to a varying degree of success, and has angered Madrid before.

Guardiola allegedly got in touch with the out-of-favour Dani Carvajal to offer him regular football away from the Bernabeu.

Marca adds that the former Barcelona coach also tried to lobby Martin Odegaard last year by promising him first-team opportunities at Bayern Munich.

With the 49-year-old at the helm, coupled with City’s financial power, the club have the potential to establish themselves as genuine European giants.

They’ve already begun to assert themselves within the transfer market having seen off Barcelona to secure Spain’s Nolito while they look poised to bring Leroy Sane to the Etihad once a fee with Schalke has been agreed.

The club are also preparing a £50m bid for Everton's John Stones who has openly declared his desire to join Guardiola' side.