Barcelona complete long-awaited move for Gabriel Jesus after nine months of hesitation

Barcelona signed Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal in a last-minute deal after nine months of persistent approaches, delays and uncertainty over whether the Brazilian forward fitted their recruitment plans.

The transfer was completed during the final stage of the window and had been under consideration by Barcelona sporting director Deco for several months, according to Catalan newspaper Sport. The move eventually accelerated after the club accepted that their preferred target, Julian Alvarez, would not be available.

Barcelona had initially focused their efforts on Alvarez, despite Atletico Madrid making clear that they did not want to sell one of their most important players. That position created an opportunity for agents to present Deco with a wide range of alternative forwards, with Gabriel Jesus among the names repeatedly put forward.

By the end of November, Jesus had recovered from injury and was training normally under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal. Arsenal were involved in the Premier League title race, while Arteta did not want to make unnecessary changes to his squad. At the same time, Jesus needed regular playing time to rebuild his form and regain the level he had previously shown.

A move during the winter transfer window therefore appeared to offer a solution for both the player and the club.

In December, Deco was informed that Jesus could be a realistic option for Barcelona. The proposed deal was considered financially manageable and could be completed when the transfer market reopened. However, there were clear risks, given that the Brazilian had spent months out of action and might not have been ready to contribute immediately.

Deco assessed the possibility before deciding against the transfer. He felt it was not the right moment to add another forward, particularly one whose fitness remained uncertain. Deco and Hansi Flick believed Robert Lewandowski, even if not operating at full capacity, together with Ferran Torres, would be sufficient for the remainder of the season.

The Jesus file was postponed rather than permanently closed. The office of experienced agent Giovanni Branchini, working with Roc Nation Sports, continued to keep the player’s name in front of Barcelona.

During the first half of 2026, Deco’s answer remained unchanged despite continued pressure. He recognised Jesus’ unquestionable quality but maintained that Barcelona’s priorities required them to pursue other targets. Julian Alvarez remained the leading option and was not removed from the club’s plans.

The situation changed again after the summer and the World Cup. Barcelona still had unresolved questions over their central striker, and Lewandowski’s official move to the United States reopened discussions about possible replacements. Some negotiations began, but they faded at an early stage because Deco continued to insist that Alvarez was the priority.

Jesus was once again considered, but the response was initially the same: he was not viewed as an option for Barcelona. The club did not even contact Arsenal to establish the conditions of a potential transfer or ask for an initial valuation.

Eventually, the market left Barcelona with little room for further delay. Although the club completed several deals of good quality, the sporting department’s main target had not been secured. With Alvarez unavailable, Barcelona were forced to turn to the “frightening Plan B” that had repeatedly been postponed.

With Flick’s approval, Deco revived the Jesus negotiations. Following the closure of the transfer window, Lautaro Martinez confirmed that there had been contact with Barcelona, while reports in Belgium also indicated that the Catalan club had shown interest in Tressoldi. Neither deal reached Spotify Camp Nou, amid a much longer list of forwards whose chances of joining Barcelona varied.

The Jesus transfer finally turned during Barcelona’s match against Athletic Club on 27 August. Deco concluded that decisive action was needed. Arsenal were prepared to facilitate the deal for a reasonable fee of 10m euros, leaving the player’s salary as the final issue to resolve.

The agreement was completed within 24 hours. Jesus accepted a reduction in his wages, while Barcelona agreed to guarantee him a third year in his contract. All parties ultimately considered the arrangement satisfactory.

After months of almost continuous contact, Gabriel Jesus became a Barcelona player. The remaining question is whether he can recover his fitness and return to the level he has been missing for a considerable period the same concern that had made Deco reluctant to approve the move since late 2025.