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Gabriel Jesus set for Arsenal exit with Barcelona closing in on cut-price £8.6m deal for striker
Aug 30 2026 16:50 · By Ben Winstanley · 4 Reads
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus is set for a late move to Barcelona, who are closing in on a cut-price deal worth around £8.6million.
Jesus was left out of the Arsenal squad for their first two games this season and has been training away from the first team.
He joined the Gunners in 2022 after five years at Manchester City but has largely played a bit-part role under Mikel Arteta and missed most of 2025 with a cruciate ligament tear.
They signed Viktor Gyokeres to be their No 1 striker last summer and are now pushing ahead with a big-money move for Atletico striker Julian Alvarez, which if completed would restrict Jesus' opportunities further.
A deal for 29-year-old Jesus is not finalised but looks likely to be completed before Tuesday's deadline. He has agreed a two-year contract at Camp Nou.
Gabriel Jesus was involved in Arsenal's pre-season but then left out of their squads for the Community Shield and Premier League opener against Coventry
As Daily Mail Sport reported this month, Jesus was a target for Napoli this summer but turned down the chance to move there.
The move comes with Arsenal still hoping to sign Alvarez - who has been told he cannot move to Barca.
Atletico have given Alvarez until the weekend to make a decision over his future, telling the ex-Manchester City star to move to Arsenal or stay at the club.
He missed training for a third day running on Friday, but later trained alone.
Alvarez has been absent citing illness since Atletico told the Argentina striker they would not sell him to their La Liga rivals.
Club CEO Gil Marin told Spanish media: 'I've been in the football world for more than 30 years. My word is one of the few things I have. As long as I am CEO, Julian Alvarez will NOT be transferred to FC Barcelona. That is absolutely certain.'
Arsenal are willing to pay up to £128m for Alvarez if he opts to join them now.
The Gunners have also agreed a deal worth £7.8m to sell midfielder Fabio Vieira to Hamburg.