Barcelona goes after a forward

FC Barcelona

The name of Gabriel Jesús has entered strongly into the Blaugrana planning. The Arsenal striker, aged 29, is an option the club has already worked on in recent talks after checking that Atletico Madrid are not making it easy to move Julián Álvarez this window.

Barça's need is to find a pure '9' following the departure of Robert Lewandowski. In that scenario, the Brazilian attacker fits as an alternative to strengthen the heart of the attack without meaning abandoning the interest in Julián for future windows.

Gabriel Jesús also views the possibility positively. His situation at Arsenal has lost some prominence, with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyökeres ahead in the rotation of the current Premier League champions. That lack of playing space has pushed the player to look for an exit.

Barça checks his physical condition and keeps the Julián route open

The Blaugrana club has looked into his medical situation after the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee that he suffered in January 2025. The striker is already fully recovered from that injury.

His goal-scoring record is another point that backs up his candidacy. At the Manchester City, between 2016 and 2022, he netted 95 goals in 236 matches under the orders of Pep Guardiola. After that, at Arsenal, he has added 33 goals in 123 appearances.

Before arriving in England from Palmeiras in 2016, Gabriel Jesús already had the desire to play for Barça one day. Now he is pushing to narrow the gap and be able to wear the Blaugrana shirt.

The deal does not close the door on Julián Álvarez. Interest in the Argentine forward at Atletico Madrid remains in place, although it would be put off until another transfer window.