Gabriel Jesus’ late move from Arsenal to Barcelona looked like a transfer put together in a matter of days.
Behind the scenes, it was anything but that. Sport now reveal the Brazilian had been pushed towards Barcelona for around nine months. His representatives kept returning to Deco despite receiving several rejections along the way.
It eventually paid off, with Arsenal’s willingness to sell cheaply helping everything come together in the final days.
Barcelona repeatedly said no
The story goes back to December 2025. Jesus had recovered from injury and was training normally under Mikel Arteta. He wanted more minutes, though, and a January departure became an option.
That’s when Deco first became aware that the Arsenal forward was realistically available.
The finances were considered affordable, but there were concerns over his lack of football. Deco studied the possibility and decided against it.
Hansi Flick and the sporting director felt Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres were enough for the rest of the season. Jesus’ name didn’t disappear.
Sport says veteran agent Giovanni Branchini’s office and Roc Nation Sports continued keeping the Brazilian in front of Barcelona.
Deco’s answer remained the same throughout the first half of 2026. He appreciated Jesus’ quality but had other priorities, with Julián Álvarez always the preferred striker.
The agents tried again in the summer. Once more, Barcelona weren’t interested. At one stage this summer, Barcelona were so cold on the idea they didn’t even bother asking Arsenal how much Jesus would cost.
Weeks later, that €10m (£8.7m) price became one of the reasons they changed their minds.
Everything changed in 24 hours
Lewandowski had left for the United States by then, but Barcelona continued chasing Álvarez.
Once that became an impossible deal, Deco finally had to look seriously at his alternatives. Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Tresoldi were among other players considered.
The big change with Jesus came on August 27th, the day Barcelona faced Athletic Club. Deco decided it was time to act.
Crucially, he knew Arsenal were prepared to make the transfer easy at a reasonable €10m (£8.7m). The remaining issue was Jesus’ salary. What had dragged on for nine months was then sorted in around 24 hours.
Sport says Jesus agreed to reduce his wage demands. Barcelona made their own concession by guaranteeing him a third year on his contract.
That was enough to get everyone on the same page and finally send the Brazilian from Arsenal to Spain.
It’s quite a turnaround considering how many times Barcelona had previously rejected the idea. Jesus’ representatives kept his name on Deco’s desk, Arsenal eventually made him available for an attractive price and the collapse of the Álvarez pursuit opened the final door.
Now Barcelona just have to hope the concerns which made Deco hesitate for so long – mainly Jesus’ fitness and lack of regular football – don’t come back to bite them.
