Fabrizio Romano, as always, revealed a new signing for FC Barcelona yesterday afternoon. Gabriel Jesus will bolster the Blaugrana attack after Deco and the sporting management completed the deal in the utmost secrecy.
Jesus will travel to Barcelona this Monday to join Hansi Flick’s squad, with the manager having given the green light to his arrival. The Brazilian was in the stands watching his team-mates beat Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou last night.
Jesus’ signing would have been a major coup a few years ago when he was playing for Manchester City or in his first year at Arsenal. The reason his signing has not sparked huge expectations is down to his extensive injury record in recent years and, consequently, his poor goal-scoring record.
It should not be forgotten that Jesus was one of Arsenal’s first signings back in 2022, when they began laying the foundations to become the team they are today.
Although Jesus was a player who cost over €50 million in 2022, the deal is beneficial for all three parties involved. Arsenal, whilst pocketing a sum far below what they originally invested – rumours suggest a figure in excess of 12 million – are ridding themselves of a 15 million euro salary for a player who barely featured and had just one year left on his contract.
Barcelona, meanwhile, are adding a new player with a playmaking profile who has demonstrated, when given the chance, that he is a useful asset in a Champions League side. Signing a two-year deal is also wise: if he fails to perform, the short contract won’t be a major obstacle to finding him a new club.
Finally, the player also stands to benefit by joining a club that plays a very different style to what Mikel Arteta has been implementing in recent months. In La Liga, with their latest signings, Barcelona are set to be a machine at getting into the box time and again throughout a match.
Jesus is a goalscoring, technically gifted and creative player who, against defences sitting deep, could be the key to finding spaces. Obviously, the Brazilian knows he’ll be a substitute. Under Flick it has been more than proven that the players who train best and have the greatest chemistry with their teammates are the ones who play.
This surprising move raises a question in the Camp Nou offices. What are they going to do now with Hamza Abdelkarim?
The Egyptian striker is in talks to renew his contract. Abdelkarim’s excellent form in pre-season and his potential mean Barcelona has no choice but to renew the contract it signed with him three months ago. His €15 million release clause could become obsolete and the club needs to protect itself.
Abdelkarim’s pre-season, in which he scored four goals, has earned him the trust of Hansi Flick and his coaching staff. The club has instructed the German manager not to give him any playing time until he renews his contract or the transfer window closes. His €15 million release clause could prove very tempting for many clubs.
Abdelkarim is just 18 years old and displays a nose for goal that makes him a highly valuable player at the highest level. He represented Egypt at the World Cup and cut short his holidays to join the first team’s pre-season training. The gesture that is well worth noting and speaks volumes about his professionalism and eagerness to establish himself at the club.
The arrival of Jesus does not pose any obstacle to Abdelkarim’s development, although his playing time may be reduced. Flick rates his qualities highly, and he will have opportunities for sure.
Unlike other summers, when the press reported on every Barcelona signing or attempted signing, all of this summer’s signings have been finalised in a matter of days without the press managing to break the exclusive story. The only exception was Rodri, whose negotiations did attract a great deal of media attention. The agreement between the player and Barcelona was reached before any media outlet could break the story.
With Deco’s arrival, the approach is different. The former footballer has chosen to conduct the negotiations personally and in the utmost secrecy, a decision the club supports. Few people at the top of the club are aware of his moves, as otherwise someone might leak the information to the press and derail the situation.
Following the collapse of the deal to sign Julián Álvarez, Barcelona began to consider the possibility of signing strikers with a similar profile, but at a more affordable price. There was talk of Luis Suárez, Tresoldi…
But they were asking for too much money, and Barcelona are setting that sum aside for Julián, on whom they haven’t said their last word yet. Gabriel Jesus is a player who has commanded huge transfer fees, and signing him at such a low cost is a wise move by the Spanish club.
If you love sports, download Stadium Rant from the Apple App Store and join one of the fastest-growing social sports communities. Be sure to follow us on socials too — you can find all our profiles on our Linktree.
