According to reports from The Athletic, Barcelona are advancing in negotiations to sign Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus for a fee of around €10million, with the 29-year-old forward scheduled to undergo a medical examination on Monday. The deal emerged as a cut-price market opportunity after Barcelona’s primary target, Julián Álvarez of Atlético Madrid, became unattainable due to opposition from his club.
Transfer Negotiations and Financial Terms
According to The Athletic, Barcelona view the acquisition of Jesus as a financial opportunity they could not pass up. The clubs have progressed talks toward a proposed agreement worth approximately €10million. Reporting from the Daily Mail indicates the fee sits around £8.6million, with the player agreeing to a two-year contract at Camp Nou ahead of the transfer deadline.
Arsenal initially demanded between £18m and £20m earlier in the transfer window, according to The Athletic. However, his contract status—expiring next summer—combined with a history of injuries and a hefty salary prompted Arsenal to accept a considerable compromise on their original valuation.
Impact on Arsenal’s Squad and Mikel Arteta’s Plans
Jesus was left out of Arsenal’s matchday squad for the 3-0 Community Shield victory over Manchester City and the 3-0 opening-day win over Coventry City, training away from the first team as negotiations proceeded, as noted by The Athletic and the Daily Mail. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta indirectly confirmed discussions regarding the striker’s departure.
https://x.com/TheAthleticFC/status/2094059387128091015
Since joining Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022, Jesus has made 123 appearances and scored 32 goals with 22 assists, according to club data cited by The Athletic. His playing time diminished following the arrival of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, alongside a cruciate ligament tear that sidelined him for months during the campaign.
Did you know? For Barcelona, Jesus should be their third summer signing from the Premier League, following Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and Rodri from Manchester City.
The Failed Pursuit of Julián Álvarez
Barcelona’s pursuit of Jesus directly stems from their failed attempt to sign Julián Álvarez from Atlético Madrid, according to The Athletic. Atlético Madrid CEO Gil Marin publicly stated that Álvarez would not be transferred to FC Barcelona under any circumstances, telling Spanish media: “As long as I am CEO, Julian Alvarez will NOT be transferred to FC Barcelona,” as reported by the Daily Mail.
The dispute involved Atlético reporting Barcelona to the Spanish FA (RFEF) in July over an alleged breach of ethics regarding their pursuit of Álvarez, as detailed by The Athletic. With that avenue closed, Barcelona shifted their focus to Jesus to replenish a forward line that recently lost Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Barcelona paying for Gabriel Jesus?
According to The Athletic and the Daily Mail, Barcelona are paying around €10million (£8.6m) to secure the striker from Arsenal.
When will Gabriel Jesus complete his medical?
The Brazilian forward is scheduled to travel to Barcelona on Monday to undergo his medical examination before finalizing his contract, according to reporting by The Athletic.
Why did Barcelona abandon the pursuit of Julián Álvarez?
As reported by The Athletic, Atlético Madrid refused to negotiate the sale of Álvarez to a La Liga rival and publicly stated he would not be sold to the Catalan club.
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