Barcelona have reportedly reached an agreement with Arsenal to sign Gabriel Jesus for €10m plus add-ons, with the striker expected to undergo a medical before the transfer can be completed.
The reported move would end Barcelona’s search for a new centre-forward after their pursuit of Julian Alvarez stalled. Atletico Madrid made clear they would not sell the Argentina international to their La Liga rivals.
Alvarez returned to training with Atletico on Sunday, amid reports that he had accepted he would remain with Diego Simeone’s side for the time being. Barcelona subsequently turned their attention to Jesus, who has been linked with a departure from Arsenal after falling behind Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres in Mikel Arteta’s forward pecking order.
The agreement remains subject to the medical, which is understood to be the next step in the proposed transfer.
Barcelona’s summer search for attacking reinforcements has taken several different turns. The club had already completed surprise deals for Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi earlier in the window, and Jesus could become their latest arrival if the reported agreement is formally concluded.
For Arsenal, the potential transfer comes after Arteta was asked this week about the futures of Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. Although the manager did not directly confirm that Jesus was leaving, his comments suggested that both players could depart the club.
Arteta’s remarks focused primarily on Martinelli. He said difficult discussions could sometimes be necessary and emphasised Arsenal’s affection for the Brazil international, while adding that any decision would be reached with the agreement of everyone involved.
Jesus would provide Barcelona with another attacking option after Atletico blocked their attempt to sign Alvarez. He would arrive from an Arsenal side where competition for places has increased, with Havertz and Gyokeres currently ahead of him in the pecking order.
The possible addition is part of Barcelona’s wider assessment of their striker recruitment plans. The club has continued to explore attacking options during the summer while reshaping its forward line, and Jesus has now emerged as the latest solution following the breakdown of their attempt to sign Alvarez.
The proposed fee is reported to be €10m, with further payments potentially due in add-ons. However, the transfer has not yet been completed and remains dependent on Jesus passing his medical with Barcelona.
If that process is successful, Barcelona will add an experienced Premier League forward to a group that has already been strengthened by the arrivals of Gordon and Adeyemi. For now, the medical is the outstanding stage before the reported agreement with Arsenal can be finalised.
