It looked as though Barcelona were not planning to sign another striker in the event of failing to capture Julian Alvarez from Atletico Madrid, who continue to make a deal extremely difficult.

However, the unexpected availability of Gabriel Jesus has changed Barca’s approach. The Brazilian was not initially part of the club’s plans, but the circumstances surrounding his situation at Arsenal have opened the door to a move.

Barcelona have taken advantage of the fact that he is no longer as prominent in Arsenal‘s squad as he has been, especially with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres now ahead of him in the pecking order.

With Jesus’ Arsenal contract running until the summer of 2027, the club are willing to consider his departure for a fee rather than losing him on a free transfer next year.

The main question surrounding the move to Barca is Jesus’ injury history. He has suffered significant knee problems during his time at Arsenal. An anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee, suffered in January 2025, kept him out for 10 months.

None of these necessarily means Barcelona will abandon their long-term interest in Alvarez.

Following Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres’ departures from the club, Barcelona wanted to add a natural centre-forward to their attacking options. Jesus offers something different from a traditional number nine, with his ability to operate across the front line and contribute to the build-up making him an attractive option for Hansi Flick.

If the deal is completed, Flick will be adding a highly experienced forward to his squad. Jesus made 27 appearances for Arsenal last season in all competitions, scoring six goals, while his six-season spell at Manchester City produced 236 appearances and 95 goals.

For Barca, the move represents a relatively low-cost opportunity to add experience, versatility and Premier League pedigree to their attack.