Gabriel Jesus’ move from Arsenal to Barcelona may have looked like a sudden deadline-day transfer, but the Brazilian forward has now revealed what was really happening behind the scenes as his future took a dramatic turn.
Jesus had completed Arsenal’s pre-season and already suspected that his opportunities would be limited. Yet he continued training normally with the squad until the situation suddenly changed and he was asked to train away from his teammates.
Despite the uncertainty, Jesus remained focused on his work. He explained that he knew he might not receive many opportunities at Arsenal, but continued training professionally because he wanted to be ready if a chance to play at the highest level returned.
Then his situation changed abruptly.
The Brazilian began training separately from the Arsenal squad, but continued working hard while waiting for the next opportunity. There were reports linking him with other clubs, including Everton and Napoli, but neither possibility developed into a move.
Barcelona eventually entered the picture late in the transfer window, and everything accelerated almost immediately.
Jesus revealed that the negotiations moved extremely quickly during the final week, while highlighting Deco’s role in making the transfer happen.
According to the forward, Deco’s work with the club president, Barcelona and his agent was crucial. From one day to the next, Jesus realised that joining Barcelona had suddenly become a realistic possibility.
And when that opportunity arrived, there was no hesitation.
Jesus made his position clear immediately and instructed his representatives to do whatever was necessary to complete the transfer.
“I said yes to Barça straight away,” the Brazilian revealed.
The move also carried extra significance because Barcelona had previously been close to signing Jesus back in 2016, when he was still emerging at Palmeiras. Almost a decade later, the long-awaited move finally became reality.
Barcelona also had to make a significant financial effort to accommodate the striker within the club’s wage structure and financial regulations before the deal could be completed.
What looked from the outside like a last-minute transfer was therefore the culmination of a dramatic final week for Jesus — one that began with uncertainty at Arsenal and ended with an opportunity he had little difficulty accepting.
Jesus had already said during his official presentation that he felt something good was going to happen and that he did not believe the move was simply a coincidence. Now, his own account has revealed just how quickly the final pieces fell into place.