Gabriel Jesus revealed he was abruptly sidelined by Arsenal, trained alone, and then swiftly joined Barcelona in a £8.6m deal after a decade-long pursuit of the Catalan club.
Gabriel Jesus’s dramatic exit from Arsenal to Barcelona unfolded in a whirlwind of sudden decisions, unexplained silences, and a decade-long pursuit of a dream move. The Brazilian forward, who spent four seasons at the Emirates Stadium, confirmed he was left in the dark by the club’s hierarchy before being forced to train alone, ultimately sealing a cut-price £8.6m transfer to Barcelona in the final days of the summer window.
The Sudden Shift at Arsenal
Jesus’s final weeks at Arsenal were marked by confusion and abrupt changes. Despite completing the club’s pre-season preparations, he was suddenly removed from the main squad, a move he described as without any warning.
I was training with the group, and out of nowhere they put me to train apart from the group,
he told SportyTV. I was doing my maximum [in training] to be ready, in case I got the chance to play at a high level again.
The decision to isolate Jesus came as he anticipated limited playing time under Mikel Arteta. I already knew that, probably, I wouldn’t play as much or wouldn’t have as many opportunities,
he admitted. But nobody told me anything.
The move, which left Jesus frustrated, came as he struggled for relevance after joining from Manchester City in 2022.
The Role of Deco and Barcelona’s Push
Barcelona’s involvement in Jesus’s transfer accelerated rapidly once the club entered the race. Sporting director Deco played a pivotal role in finalizing the deal, according to Jesus. The work of Deco, the president [of Barcelona], and the club… My agent was amazing. When we were sure that I had the opportunity to come, obviously I said yes straight away,
he said. The Catalan club’s swift action contrasted with Arsenal’s opaque handling of the situation.
Jesus’s move to Barcelona was not just a career shift but a long-awaited personal milestone. The 29-year-old had a connection to the club dating back to 2016, when Barcelona nearly signed him as an emerging player at Palmeiras. Now I’m so happy to be here,
he said. The deal, estimated at around €10 million, saw Jesus accept a pay cut to join the Catalan club.
Jesus’s Persistent Pursuit of Barcelona
Justarsenal reported that Jesus had repeatedly sought a move to Barcelona over the years, with his agent pushing for the deal despite initial rejections. Barca never fancied a move for him, but Jesus never gave up on his desire to join the club,
the outlet noted. His persistence paid off when Barcelona, facing a late surge in striker options, reconsidered their stance after failing to secure Julián Álvarez.
The Brazilian’s frustration with Arsenal’s handling of his exit was palpable. Nobody told me anything!
he reportedly told SportyTV, a direct critique of the club’s communication. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, however, praised Jesus’s contributions, calling him a massive contributor
to the club’s recent success. He brought this energy, this belief… that’s really helped achieve what happened next,
Arteta said.
Financial Details and the Final Days
The £8.6m fee, confirmed by multiple sources, marked the cost of the move. Jesus’s move came amid Barcelona’s financial constraints, with the club reportedly making a significant financial effort to fit him into their wage structure and Financial Fair Play allowance. The deal, finalized on deadline day, allowed Jesus to join Barcelona just in time for his debut in a 5-0 LaLiga win over Valencia.
For Arsenal, the departure of Jesus signals the end of an era. The forward made 123 appearances across four seasons, scoring 32 goals and providing 22 assists. His exit follows his time under Arteta as the club seeks to evolve their attacking options.
Jesus’s story underscores the volatility of modern football transfers, where last-minute deals can upend long-term plans. For the player, it’s a chance to revive his career at one of the world’s elite clubs. For Barcelona, it’s a gamble on a striker who, despite his struggles in England, remains a symbol of ambition and resilience.
