Barcelona have completed the signing of Gabriel Jesus after the Brazilian passed his medical on Monday. BBC Sport had earlier reported that a move from Arsenal was close, with the fee put at £8.6m, or 10 million euros.
Jesus had slipped down the pecking order at the Emirates in recent seasons through injuries and because Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres were preferred as central strikers. Napoli had shown interest as well, but the 22-year arrival from Manchester City has now joined last season’s Spanish league champions.
He scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists in 123 appearances after joining Arsenal in 2022. Before the Gunners beat Aston Villa, Mikel Arteta confirmed Jesus was not training with the squad. Asked if that meant the forward was leaving, Arteta said personal situations, whatever they are, were clear.
Jesus is Barcelona’s third signing from a Premier League club this summer, after Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and Rodri from Manchester City. Barcelona have also chased Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, but Atletico have made it plain they will not deal with their La Liga rivals. Arsenal have pursued Alvarez too, though a deal looks unlikely at this stage.
The Gunners have sold Fabio Vieira to Hamburger SV, while Ethan Nwaneri is close to a loan move to Borussia Dortmund.
