Gabriel Jesus has opened up about the financial sacrifice he made to seal his transfer to Barcelona, admitting he accepted a considerable reduction in wages to join the Spanish club after leaving Arsenal.
The Brazilian forward was among the highest earners at the Emirates Stadium, reportedly taking home more than £250,000 a week. That salary level had complicated Barcelona's efforts to sign him, but a compromise was eventually reached, with the Catalan club agreeing a deal worth around €15 million that includes a sell-on clause.
Speaking at his official unveiling on Tuesday, Jesus made clear that the reduced pay packet was a price worth paying for the chance to represent Barcelona. "I took a significant salary drop, but it's a dream to be here," he said, while also acknowledging that the move required flexibility from both parties. "It wasn't just me who had to make an effort to get the transfer over the line, Barca also played their part."
The 29-year-old admitted that, until recently, he never imagined such a move could happen. "If you had asked me one month ago, I would have said it was unlikely this would happen. At 29, I didn't think I would have the chance to come to Barca," he explained. Once talks gathered pace, however, his excitement grew rapidly. "When I started to think it was a real possibility, I was so excited."
Jesus also addressed concerns about his physical condition following a difficult stretch battling knee problems during his time in north London. The striker missed extended periods through injury but insists he is now fully recovered and ready to contribute immediately. "The last two years have been really complicated after the knee injury," he said. "I was out of the game for almost one year, but it's in the past. I feel good physically now. I recovered well, returned to action for Arsenal and I am 100% ready to play and give my all."
According to reports, Barcelona's interest in Jesus only became concrete last week, and the forward wasted no time expressing his enthusiasm for the switch. Before finalising his decision, he consulted several players with Barcelona connections, including former Manchester City team-mates Rodri and Joao Cancelo, along with current Barcelona forward and fellow Brazilian Raphinha.
Notably, this is not the first time Jesus has been linked with a move to the Camp Nou. A decade ago, Barcelona were reportedly interested in signing him before he instead joined Manchester City in 2016. Now, after years developing in the Premier League, he finally gets the opportunity to don the Blaugrana shirt. "I have the chance to play for Barcelona, a chance I had 10 years ago and now life has offered me that opportunity again," he said.
The transfer comes after Barcelona missed out on their primary summer target, Julian Alvarez, leading to suggestions that Jesus was viewed as an alternative option. The striker, however, dismissed any suggestion that being a secondary choice troubles him. "It doesn't annoy me [being Plan B to Alvarez], it doesn't bother me," he said. "What annoys me is if people say I'm a bad guy, which has never happened in my life - or if I am not playing football, that bothers me."
With his fitness restored and a fresh challenge ahead, Jesus will now look to prove his worth at one of European football's most storied clubs, eager to make up for lost time after a turbulent conclusion to his Arsenal career.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.