Barcelona are close to completing a deal worth £8.6m (10m euros) for Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, with the Brazil international expected to undergo a medical on Monday before the transfer deadline on Tuesday.
The move is at an advanced stage, although some final details still need to be agreed. Subject to those being resolved, the 29-year-old is expected to join last season’s Spanish league champions.
Napoli had also expressed interest in Jesus, but Barcelona are now in pole position to secure his signing.
Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022. He has scored 32 goals and provided 22 assists in 123 appearances for the Gunners.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta confirmed on Thursday that Jesus was not training with the squad ahead of Monday’s Premier League match against Aston Villa, which kicks off at 20:00 BST.
Asked whether the absence indicated that Jesus was leaving Arsenal, Arteta said: “Personal situations, whatever they are, I think it’s clear.”
If completed, the transfer would make Jesus Barcelona’s third signing from a Premier League club during the summer. He would follow Anthony Gordon, who joined from Newcastle, and Rodri, who arrived from Manchester City.
Barcelona had also been pursuing Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, who is a target for Arsenal. However, that pursuit appeared to have stalled earlier this week after sources told BBC Sport that Atletico would not negotiate with their Spanish rivals.
Jesus move follows change in Barcelona’s plans
Barcelona had appeared unlikely to sign another striker if they failed to reach an agreement for Alvarez, with Atletico continuing to make a deal difficult.
Jesus’s unexpected availability has changed that position. The Brazilian was not originally included in Barcelona’s plans, but his reduced role at Arsenal has created an opportunity for the Catalan club.
Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres are now ahead of Jesus in Arsenal’s attacking pecking order. With his contract at the club running until the summer of 2027, Arsenal are prepared to consider a transfer fee rather than risk losing him for nothing next year.
The principal concern for Barcelona is Jesus’s injury record. He has experienced serious knee problems during his time in England, including an anterior cruciate ligament injury to his left knee in January 2025 which kept him out of action for 10 months.
That history has not necessarily ended Barcelona’s longer-term interest in Alvarez.
The club wanted to strengthen its centre-forward options following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Jesus is not a conventional number nine, but his ability to play in several attacking positions and contribute to build-up play makes him an appealing option for manager Hansi Flick.
Jesus made 27 appearances for Arsenal in all competitions last season and scored six goals. During his six-season spell at Manchester City, he played 236 times and scored 95 goals.
For Barcelona, the proposed move would offer a relatively inexpensive way to add experience, versatility and Premier League pedigree to their attack.
Martinelli set for Al-Hilal medical
Meanwhile, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli is due to travel to Saudi Arabia on Tuesday for a medical with Al-Hilal.
A deal worth at least £50m is understood to have been agreed for the 25-year-old Brazil international after Arteta made clear that Martinelli was not part of his plans.
Martinelli is expected to sign a four-year contract. Al-Hilal are offering wages believed to be significantly higher than the £180,000-a-week salary he reportedly earns at Arsenal.
By Elizabeth Conway, Spanish football reporter
