Barcelona complete signing of Arsenal striker Jesus

Barcelona have completed the permanent signing of Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal. The transfer follows a BBC Sport report that a fee of £8.6 million (10 million euros) for the Brazilian forward was close to being confirmed. Jesus had slipped down Arsenal’s pecking order in recent seasons because of recurring injury problems, with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres preferred as the club’s primary strikers. Napoli had also expressed interest, but the 27‑year‑old moved to the Spanish champions after undergoing his medical on Monday. Jesus arrived at Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022. Over 123 appearances he scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists. Speaking to the press before Arsenal’s victory over Aston Villa, manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Jesus was not training with the first team. Asked whether that signalled an imminent departure, Arteta replied, “Personal situations, whatever they are, I think it’s clear.” The acquisition makes Jesus Barcelona’s third summer signing from a Premier League side, after the arrivals of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and Rodri from Manchester City. Barcelona have also been linked with a move for Atlético Madrid forward Julián Álvarez, but the La Liga club has stated it will not negotiate with a domestic rival. Arsenal have shown similar interest in Álvarez, though a deal appears unlikely at present. In other Arsenal business, the club has sold Fabio Vieira to Hamburger SV, while Ethan Nwaneri is nearing a loan switch to Borussia Dortmund.