Barcelona’s decision to sign Gabriel Jesus came only after months of hesitation, with sporting director Deco having repeatedly rejected the Arsenal forward as an option before the Catalan club eventually made their move late in the summer transfer window.

The Brazilian striker had reportedly been placed on Barcelona’s radar as far back as December. However, despite his availability, Jesus was not initially viewed as a priority by the club’s sporting department. Barcelona instead focused their attention on other attacking targets as they looked to strengthen their forward line.

One of the players who commanded significantly more attention was Julián Álvarez. The Argentine forward was among Barcelona’s preferred options, reflecting the club’s desire to add a high-level attacking player capable of contributing immediately.

Gabriel Jesus Was Available Since December

According to the information surrounding the transfer, Gabriel Jesus had been on Deco’s table since December. His name was therefore not a late discovery by Barcelona, despite the eventual deal being completed toward the end of the summer.

Deco reportedly rejected the opportunity several times as Barcelona explored alternatives. The club’s reluctance to pursue Jesus for much of the period highlights how far down the list the former Manchester City striker initially appeared to be.

The situation changed as the summer transfer window progressed. With other targets proving difficult to secure, Barcelona returned to the possibility of signing Jesus.

For the player, the move represented an opportunity to continue his career at one of Europe’s biggest clubs after his time in the Premier League.

Arsenal Ready to Sell for €10 Million

Another major factor in the deal was Arsenal’s willingness to negotiate.

The Premier League club were reportedly prepared to allow Jesus to leave for approximately €10 million, a relatively modest transfer fee for a forward with experience at the highest level.

Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and has since provided the club with experience across multiple attacking positions. His versatility has been one of his biggest strengths, allowing him to operate as a central striker or from wider attacking areas.

However, Arsenal were ultimately prepared to sanction his departure, creating an attractive opportunity for Barcelona.

The relatively low transfer fee also made the Brazilian a financially viable option for a Barcelona side that has continued to operate under significant financial constraints.

Salary Demands Were the Final Piece

While the transfer fee was not considered a major obstacle, Barcelona still needed to reach an agreement with the player over personal terms.

The breakthrough reportedly came after Gabriel Jesus agreed to lower his salary demands.

Once the Brazilian reduced his financial expectations, negotiations accelerated dramatically. What had been an option repeatedly dismissed by Barcelona for months suddenly became a deal that could be completed.

The agreement was then reportedly finalised within just 24 hours, underlining how quickly the situation changed once the financial conditions became favourable.

A Late Solution for Barcelona

The circumstances surrounding the transfer suggest that Gabriel Jesus was more of a late solution than Barcelona’s original plan.

The club had spent months considering alternative targets, with players such as Julián Álvarez receiving greater attention. Jesus, meanwhile, remained available but was repeatedly passed over by Deco.

However, the dynamics of the transfer market changed as the summer progressed. Barcelona eventually reconsidered the Brazilian, while Arsenal’s willingness to accept €10 million and Jesus’ decision to reduce his salary demands removed two significant barriers.

That combination allowed the transfer to move from a repeatedly rejected proposal to a completed deal in remarkably short order.

For Barcelona, the signing provides an experienced forward without requiring a major transfer outlay. For Jesus, it offers the chance to begin a new chapter at Camp Nou and revive his career in Spain.

Ultimately, the transfer is a reminder of how quickly plans can change during a transfer window. A player who had been sitting on Deco’s table since December and rejected for months ended up becoming Barcelona’s solution when their original priorities proved harder to secure.