Gabriel Jesus delays talks over new Manchester City deal until after the World Cup
Etihad boss Pep Guardiola wants to extend the Brazilian's deal beyond 2021 and raise his pay to £90k - but the striker won't rush
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GABRIEL JESUS will postpone talks over a new contract until after the World Cup.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola wants to extend the Brazil striker’s deal beyond 2021 — and boost his wages to £90,000 a week.
But the 21-year-old has stalled on fresh terms to concentrate on finishing the season strongly and heading to Russia 2018 in the summer.
Jesus said: “It was something that came from the club but I didn’t think it was the right time to speak as we have big games still to play.
"I decided I couldn’t think about that as it wasn’t where my mind was at.
“I still have a long time ahead of me so still don’t want to think about it.
“When the time comes, we will sit and talk.
“I am extremely happy here — with my personal life and achievements.”
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The Brazilian has enjoyed a sensational campaign at City — adding a title winners’ medal to his collection.
And Jesus is planning to take it EVERYWHERE he goes with him — just like his Olympic gold.
He is very close to his mum and dedicates every goal to honour her.
But even Vera Lucia Diniz de Jesus will not get her hands on his prized possession.
Jesus, whose side go to West Ham today, grinned: “I have sometimes been willing to leave trophies at my mum’s house.
“There have also been other trophies I have given to other people.
“But there are other medals I have to have with me wherever I go.
“So if I leave home for a few days, if I go away with the team or even if I go on holiday, I just have to take them with me.
“That’s because they are the most special things I have achieved in my life. They remind me of something that I am most proud of.
“The Premier League medal will be one of those medals that will be with me everywhere.
“It is the same with the Olympic gold medal I won for Brazil.
“It is a way to remind me what I have done.
“But it also enables me to be totally focused on what I still want to achieve.”
Jesus says he is determined to savour his achievements in the game having grown up in a poor part of Sao Paulo.
He said: “I always think about my origins. I am just a young kid who followed his dream.
“I am the man I am today because of all the good and bad experiences I have had. I feel enriched by what I went through as a young boy.”