Barça activates the alternative to Julián Álvarez and Hansi Flick already has his centre-forward
The blue and red ensemble signs Gabriel Jesus and intends to incorporate the Argentine attacker in new market windows.
BarcelonaBarça has reached an agreement with Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal forward, for 10 million euros plus variables associated with titles and performance. The Brazilian had lost prominence in the Gunners' forward line and has become a "market opportunity" to strengthen the attack, according to sources from the blaugrana club. Jesus' contract was set to expire in June 2027.
In this way, Hansi Flick now has a replacement at the point of attack after the departure of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. From Barça, the same sources assure that this signing is not incompatible with the intention of signing Julián Álvarez, but for "upcoming market windows".
The 29-year-old forward, who will sign for two seasons with Barça and another optional one, could arrive in Barcelona this very Sunday and the forecast is that he will undergo a medical examination this Monday. At Arsenal, he was earning 16 million euros per season. The transfer market closes on Tuesday at midnight.
He arrived in Europe thanks to Pep Guardiola
Jesús arrives from Arsenal, but in Europe, his career stands out above all for his time at City, under Pep Guardiola, where he arrived from Palmeiras in 2017. Even then, Barça had been interested in signing him, but it was the Manchester club that took him. The Blaugranes signed Paco Alcácer.
At City he played 236 games, scored 95 goals and won 11 titles, including four Premier Leagues. Among his virtues, Guardiola highlighted his commitment to pressing. With Arsenal he has played 123 games and scored 32 goals. In 2022, when Erling Haaland arrived at City, Jesús signed for the Londoners. With Mikel Arteta's team he won a new Premier League, last season's, but he had a secondary role in the team.
Between an injury – a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee, which kept him out of action for 11 months – and losing his starting status, Jesús wanted to find prominence outside of London. With the impossibility of signing Julián Álvarez this summer, the Brazilian has chosen Barça and Barça has chosen him. It is an alternative that Deco suggested to Flick and that the coach, without Julián, the first option, nor Lautaro Martínez, the second option, has embraced.
With the Brazilian national team, Jesús has 64 caps and 19 goals. Among his main achievements are the 2019 Copa América and the 2016 Rio Olympic gold medal. He also participated in the 2018 Russia and 2022 Qatar World Cups.
Julián Álvarez is training with Atlético de Madrid
For his part, Julián has returned to training with the group this Sunday. The Argentine had missed Wednesday's, Thursday's, and Friday's sessions due to an "indisposition", even though on Friday he did work at the Ciudad Deportiva de Majadahonda alone with a fitness coach from the mattress club. Finally, he has now rejoined the group.
The player, supported by his compatriots Juan Musso and Cuti Romero – signed this summer from Tottenham – has participated in a session for the substitutes and players who did not play minutes in Saturday's (1-3) victory over Atlético de Madrid at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, along with a group of academy players.
Precisely on the eve of this match, Mateu Alemany, the football director of the Mattress team who also attended training, spoke about Julián before his return with the group. "The plan is very clear. Julián had a few days where he wasn't feeling well. On Friday he trained and we expect him to rejoin quickly and be in the next league match. I've been talking to him and normally," Alemany assured minutes before the Sevilla-Atlético match.
Hansi Flick, satisfied with Barça's squad
Shortly before Mundo Deportivo announced the signing of Gabriel Jesus, Hansi Flick spoke to the press on the eve of Rayo Vallecano's visit this Monday to the Camp Nou (9:30 p.m., Camp Nou). Still without referring to the Brazilian forward, Flick said he was satisfied with the squad. "Yes, I am happy and we have no pressure. Deco has done a fantastic job. For me, it's fine. As a coach, the most important thing is to work with what we have," the German had said, who also counts on Raphinha and Fermín, as he himself stated, as alternatives in the forward position.
With the incorporation of Gabriel Jesus, the squad is complete with the possibility of signing a young center-back who plays on the left side. Flick also said he counts on Frenkie de Jong. Regarding the Dutchman, who refused to have surgery on his knee despite the recommendation of Barça's doctors, the German said he is "improving day by day", that he is "a fantastic player" and that he is "very happy" to have him in the squad.