Gabriel Jesus begins new Barcelona chapter after €10m move from Arsenal

Gabriel Jesus says he is not offended by being viewed as Barcelona’s alternative to Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, insisting that criticism of his character would concern him far more than being considered a second-choice signing.

The Brazil international was speaking at his official presentation as a new Barcelona player after completing a three-season move from Arsenal. The deal will keep the 29-year-old at the Catalan club until the summer of 2029.

“I am not bothered by this and I do not feel offended. What bothers me is when people say that I am a bad person, because nobody has ever said that to me throughout my life,” Jesus said in comments reported by Mundo Deportivo.

Barcelona turned to Jesus after Atletico Madrid refused to enter negotiations over the possible transfer of Argentina forward Julian Alvarez. The Spanish club then moved quickly in the transfer market to find an attacking alternative, with the Brazil striker eventually becoming their preferred option.

Jesus said his main frustration was not being described as an alternative, but finding himself unable to play regularly.

“What bothers me is not playing football. I now have the opportunity to be here at Barcelona. I had the same opportunity 10 years ago, but life took me down another path,” he added.

That reference was to the route his career took through Manchester City and Arsenal rather than Barcelona. The Catalan club formally announced his arrival on Tuesday, after Jesus travelled to Barcelona on Monday and underwent a medical examination before the transfer was completed.

According to Mundo Deportivo, the fee paid to Arsenal was €10m.

Jesus is Barcelona’s seventh signing of the current summer transfer window. The club’s other arrivals are Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Jesse Bissio, Rodri Hernandez, Joao Cancelo and Dominik Livakovic.

The forward is hoping to rediscover his best form at Barcelona after struggling with injuries during the past two seasons. On arriving at the club, he said he was in “excellent” physical condition.

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick welcomed the signing and backed Jesus to make an important contribution to his squad.

“He is a top-class striker and he will be important for the team,” Flick said.

Jesus began his European career with Manchester City before moving to Arsenal, where injuries limited his availability over the previous two campaigns. His move to Barcelona now gives him the chance to revive his career at another of Europe’s leading clubs, despite the circumstances that led the club to pursue him after Alvarez became unavailable.

The Brazilian has made clear that his priority is to be on the pitch rather than to focus on the transfer-market narrative surrounding his arrival. Barcelona, meanwhile, will hope the new signing can provide added attacking depth and regain the form that made him one of the most highly regarded forwards in European football.