CORNERFLICK
Barcelona have announced the signing of Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal on a three-year deal, with ESPN reporting an initial fee of €10 million and up to €4 million more in performance-related add-ons.
Why Barcelona moved now
The deal gives Barcelona a centre-forward in the closing days of the transfer window, which shuts on Tuesday. The club had made Julián Álvarez their main target this summer after Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres left them short of a recognised No 9.
Atletico Madrid refused to enter talks over Álvarez, forcing Barcelona to look elsewhere. Jesus emerged as the alternative, and Hansi Flick said he was surprised the striker became available and felt he suited the team’s style.
Jesus leaves Arsenal after 32 goals
The 29-year-old becomes Barcelona’s sixth signing of the summer after Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Rodri, João Cancelo and Dominik Livaković.
Jesus was no longer first choice at Arsenal, with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres preferred ahead of him. He scored 32 goals in 123 games for the club after joining from Manchester City in 2022, having earlier scored 95 in 236 appearances for City after moving from Palmeiras in 2016.