Barcelona newcomer Gabriel Jesus reports to Joan Gamper after Arsenal switch

Gabriel Jesus has made his first appearance at Barcelona’s Joan Gamper Sports City after completing his move from Arsenal, with the Brazilian forward now waiting to discover whether he will be involved against Valencia on Sunday.

Barcelona officially announced the signing on Tuesday, and Jesus attended the club’s training complex for the first time the following morning. His arrival marks the beginning of a three-season contract with the Catalan club, running until 30 June 2029.

The 28-year-old trained separately from the rest of the squad during his first visit to Joan Gamper, according to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo. That individual session leaves his availability for Barcelona’s next La Liga match uncertain.

Barcelona travel to Mestalla on Sunday to face Valencia in the fourth round of the league season. Jesus could be included in the squad for the fixture, although his first competitive appearance for the club will depend on the decision of manager Hansi Flick.

Flick is expected to assess both the striker’s physical condition and Barcelona’s tactical requirements before deciding whether to select him. The manager will ultimately determine if Jesus is ready to make his debut or whether he should wait for another opportunity.

Reports in Spain say Barcelona have agreed to pay €10m for the former Arsenal player, with a further €5m due in potential add-ons. The transfer was confirmed on Tuesday, bringing Jesus’s spell at Arsenal to an end and securing his move to Barcelona on a contract that extends through the end of June 2029.

His arrival at Joan Gamper on Wednesday was the first public indication of his integration into Barcelona’s training environment since the transfer was completed. However, the fact he worked alone means there has been no confirmation that he will be ready to take part against Valencia.

Barcelona’s squad for the match at Mestalla will therefore be closely watched for the inclusion of their new Brazilian signing. A final decision is expected to rest with Flick, who will weigh the player’s readiness against the team’s needs before naming his travelling group.

The fixture will be Barcelona’s fourth La Liga game of the campaign and could provide Jesus with his first chance to represent the club if he is considered sufficiently prepared.

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