Gabriel Jesus on his Barcelona move: "Obviously, I said yes to Barça right away"

Gabriel Jesus became a Barcelona player just before the summer transfer window slammed shut. The deal came together in a matter of days, and the Brazilian striker has now begun to explain how it all happened in his own words. After losing his place under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal, the forward jumped at the chance to join the Catalan club and has already made his first LaLiga appearance, with a Champions League meeting against Feyenoord up next.

• Gabriel Jesus completed the whole pre-season with Arsenal, even though he suspected his minutes would be limited.
• The London club eventually moved him away from the first-team group and he began training on his own.
• Barcelona appeared during the final week of the transfer window and the striker accepted the offer without hesitation.
• He made his LaLiga debut against Valencia and could now play in the Champions League against Feyenoord, a side he already knows from his Manchester City days.

How Gabriel Jesus experienced Barcelona's late transfer-window approach

Speaking to SportyTV, the attacker looked back at how everything unfolded in the final stretch of August. According to his account, the situation in London had been very different only a few weeks earlier: the Brazilian was still training with the first team and completed the pre-season with complete normality. Even so, he had the feeling that his role was going to be secondary and that opportunities would be scarce once the season got under way.

That feeling eventually became reality. Gabriel Jesus went from working alongside the rest of the squad to training apart from the group, a change he read as a clear sign that Arteta no longer counted on him. Far from giving up, the striker kept up his rhythm and continued preparing thoroughly, convinced that sooner or later an exit would appear and allow him to compete at the highest level again.

From Everton and Napoli interest to Barcelona's final sprint

During that period of uncertainty, several clubs showed interest in his situation. Everton and Napoli emerged as possible destinations for a player who needed minutes and a leading role. However, the picture changed completely when Barcelona entered the race and the negotiations accelerated until they were resolved in just a few days.

In the last week everything was very fast. Deco's work with the president, the club and my agent was incredible. From one day to the next, it was clear that I had the opportunity to come.

Gabriel Jesus himself highlighted the role of the club's sporting director in an operation that required speed and financial planning. Once Barcelona put the option on the table, the striker did not stop to compare offers or weigh up alternatives. The decision was made before he even looked at the details of the contract.

Why Gabriel Jesus did not think twice when Barcelona appeared

For a player who had spent weeks training away from the group and without competitive action, Barcelona's call meant a return to the very top of the game. Gabriel Jesus made that clear in his interview: accepting the proposal was an almost automatic reaction. He did not hesitate because there was no reason to. The Catalan club offered him a stage, a project and the chance to compete for major trophies this season.

Obviously, I said yes to Barça right away. I am very happy to be here.

That happiness is also connected to what he left behind. After being frozen out at Arsenal and spending weeks working alone, feeling important again in a top-level dressing room was exactly what he needed. The Brazilian has found the ideal environment in Barcelona to relaunch a career that was crying out for a swift change of direction.

Gabriel Jesus' LaLiga debut and his Champions League opportunity with Barcelona

Gabriel Jesus' first official contact with the Barcelona shirt came in LaLiga, in a match against Valencia in which he played only a few minutes but still managed to show glimpses of his quality. The attacker created a couple of chances and displayed the movement that has defined him since the start of his career in European football. It was a brief first appearance, but one with positive signs.

The big moment could arrive this Wednesday, when Barcelona face Feyenoord in the Champions League. For Gabriel Jesus, this would not be just another opponent: it was against the Dutch side that he scored his first goal in the European competition while playing for Manchester City. If the Barcelona coach gives him minutes, the Brazilian will have the chance to open his scoring account for the club in the tournament.

What Gabriel Jesus can add to Barcelona's attack

Gabriel Jesus arrived at Barcelona as a different type of forward to those already in the squad. His ability to move across the entire front line, press after losing possession and link up in tight spaces fits well with the style the club wants to impose. He is not a static number nine, but a footballer who constantly asks difficult questions of opposition defences.

His arrival also allows the team to rotate with greater confidence in a season packed with matches. The Brazilian knows the demands of the Premier League and the Champions League, experience that could prove valuable in the decisive stretches of the campaign. If he regains his confidence and avoids the physical problems that punished him in England, Barcelona will have added a top-level attacking option for a very reasonable investment.