Pep Guardiola counting the days to Gabriel Jesus arrival at Manchester City

Pep Guardiola is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Gabriel Jesus at Manchester City in January and hopes the Brazilian contingent at the Etihad Stadium can help the player make a swift adjustment.

Jesus, 19, was one of the most sought-after players during the summer transfer window but it was City who beat a host of clubs to the punch. The Brazil international, who won Olympic gold with his country at Rio 2016, agreed to stay with Palmeiras until the current Brazilian league season ends in December as part of the deal, and will join up with his new teammates in January.

Guardiola played a decisive role in convincing the forward to pick City, after the starlet was strongly linked with Manchester United and Barcelona.

Speaking ahead of his side's EFL Cup fourth round tie with neighbours Manchester United, the former Barcelona boss revealed he is now counting the days to the arrival of his summer signing.

"The club decided to pick him up, buy him. We're so happy," Guardiola said, the Manchester Evening News reports. "The guy is 19/20 years old playing No.9 for Brazil. It means a lot.

"We're so happy he's here. From my point of view to just try and help him – Fernandinho, Fernando, a lot of Brazilian players are here to adjust and [help him] adapt as soon as possible. We're looking forward to him coming to us."

Gabriel's arrival could put Sergio Aguero under more pressure upfront. The Argentina international was benched for City's crucial Champions League tie against Barcelona last week but Guardiola insists he wants the striker to stay at the club for "a long time".

"I want from deep in my heart he can stay here. He is a special player, a striker who has scored millions of goals in his career.

"We cannot forget how many goals he scores for us. I am here to help him."