Gabriel Jesus has ended his four-year spell at Arsenal by joining LaLiga champions Barcelona in a permanent €10m (£8.6m) transfer completed on deadline day.
The Brazil forward has agreed a three-year contract with Barcelona after attracting interest from Napoli, Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Everton during the summer. He was entering the final year of his Arsenal deal and will now begin a new chapter in Spain.
Jesus, 29, arrived at Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 for £45m. He made 123 appearances in all competitions for the Gunners, but persistent injury problems restricted his involvement during his time at Emirates Stadium.
He played only 27 matches in the 2025-26 campaign, scoring six goals and providing one assist. Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres were preferred to him in the central striking role as the season progressed.
Despite his fitness difficulties, Jesus contributed to Arsenal’s success in ending their 22-year wait for the Premier League title last season. Across his Arsenal career, he recorded 50 goal involvements in all competitions, with 32 goals and 18 assists.
Only six players had a higher total for Arsenal during the same period: Havertz with 54, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard with 67 each, Martin Odegaard with 71, and Bukayo Saka with 105.
Barcelona strengthen their attack
Jesus becomes Barcelona’s third signing from a Premier League club this summer. He follows Anthony Gordon, who moved from Newcastle United, and Rodri, who joined from Manchester City.
The LaLiga champions had been looking to recruit a striker after allowing Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres to leave for Chicago Fire and Paris Saint-Germain respectively.
Julian Alvarez has been reported as a target for both Arsenal and Barcelona, although the Argentina international appears likely to remain at Atletico Madrid. Alvarez was pictured training with the LaLiga club on Monday.
Jesus’ transfer is one of several moves involving Arsenal on deadline day. The Gunners confirmed earlier that Fabio Vieira had completed a permanent transfer to Hamburg.
It has also been reported that Ethan Nwaneri is close to joining Borussia Dortmund for the 2026-27 season. Nwaneri spent the second half of last season on loan at Marseille.
