Analysis: How Gabriel Jesus will fit in at Manchester City

Here's everything you need to know about Manchester City's signing of Gabriel Jesus, from the financial details behind the move, to a tactical breakdown of how he may be utilised on the pitch.

The Lowdown

• Age: 19
• Position: Forward
• Former club: Palmeiras
• Nationality: Brazilian
• International caps: 6

Financial Details

Manchester City paid a reported £27-million initial fee to bring the exciting teenager to the Etihad, a fee that could rise to £31 million with add-ons. The versatile youngster signed a five-year contract with the Citizens.

Where will he fit in?

Pep Guardiola, infamous for his chopping and changing of City's formation this season, is severely limited with his options in defence, but the signing of Brazil's brightest young talent gives him myriad choices up front.

Second striker

Despite a slender frame and expressive playing style that have led many to compare the Sao Paulo-born attacker to compatriot Neymar, Jesus is more suited to the physical treatment he'll incur in England's top flight.

The explosive Brazilian honed his skills in the intimidating amateur leagues of his hometown, saying that opponents "go into tackles to break your leg."

Ryan Shawcross' hefty challenges won't come as a surprise, then.

As such, Jesus can be deployed alongside Sergio Aguero - most likely acting as a second striker who can use his cerebral awareness to find spaces in and around the area. While some would struggle with the rough-and-tumble treatment of England's hulking central defenders, City's newest attacker can, by all accounts, handle that element of the game.

Playing in his more comfortable central role would also put Jesus in the best position to showcase his vaunted finishing ability; left or right foot, and even with his head, the former Palmeiras superstar is clinical in front of goal.

Tucking in off the wing

Those aforementioned comparisons to Neymar exist for a reason: Jesus' trickery often sees him bamboozle defenders with a quick bit of flair.

It's that skill, combined with his pace, that makes him a viable option in a wider position, where he can beat fullbacks before tucking inside to combine with a central striker.

"He is little bit like Kelechi (Iheanacho) and Sergio (Aguero) ... And he's a guy who worked real movements behind the line. When you have the players like (Raheem) Sterling, Jesus, these players going behind the line, it can create more space in the middle," Guardiola said last summer, after the deal was announced.

"He's a young player, who can play on the wing with good movements to the goal."

Sure, the Citizens are already loaded in this area, but there's no reason to think Jesus won't quickly jump to the front of the pecking order.

Future Outlook

Aguero is the clear first-choice striker at the moment, and with good reason, but the signing of Jesus - together with incumbent star-in-the-making Iheanacho - gives Guardiola two of the most exciting young forwards on the planet, and solidifies the position for years to come.

Given Aguero's spotty injury history and recent disciplinary problems, City can now call on either Jesus or Iheanacho in his stead. Or play both, of course. It's almost unfair.

In terms of long-term value, we'd be remiss not to mention the sell-on potential of the signing; still only 19, should Jesus continue to develop at the rate many expect him to, City could procure a small fortune for his services should he ever decide he wants to leave the club. Granted, that's not the way anybody wants to think when discussing a newly-minted signing, but it's reality, and it's surely something the club brass took into consideration.

Grading the Deal

A move that bolsters City both immediately and for the foreseeable future, and one clinched at a relatively modest price considering some of the astronomical transfer fees that are being thrown around for mediocre players with neither the dazzling talent or growth potential of the Brazilian teen.

Yes, City's defensive personnel requires a massive overhaul, but for a club with an endless supply of riches, the signing of Jesus doesn't hinder the prospects of making the necessary additions to the backline.

A slam dunk for Txiki Begiristain and Guardiola.

In Jesus, City now boasts a youngster who is mature beyond his years. He's still a raw product, but it's obvious he isn't just another over-hyped kid from the Brazilian favelas. He's the real deal. No adolescent just scores two goals and wins a penalty kick on their debut for Brazil - at the dizzying altitude of Quito, Ecuador, no less - without possessing a certain level of quality.

At Palmeiras, Jesus' strength and flair put him a cut above whatever defender was in his way. He would fight through challenge after challenge to maintain possession of the ball before showcasing some samba-like footwork to score. It was a joy to watch, and, for entertainment purposes, it's a shame he won't receive the same amount of space or time on the ball in the Premier League.

He'll adapt, of course, and should prove to be a magnificent signing.

Verdict: A+