Barcelona are reportedly setting their sights on a surprise transfer target this summer: Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian forward has emerged as a potential loan option for the Catalan club.
Despite already securing a few new signings, head coach Hansi Flick is said to be open to adding one more player to his squad. However, any move for Jesus hinges on Barcelona’s ability to offload some of their current players to free up space.
Arsenal, for their part, are believed to be open to letting Jesus leave on loan following an injury-hit season that limited his impact. This has sparked interest from several top European clubs keen to secure his services.
Barcelona, though, have set clear conditions if they are to enter the race seriously. The club is only interested in a loan deal—and they have specific demands regarding how Jesus’ wages would be handled.
Reports suggest that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta isn’t opposed to the idea of loaning out Jesus during this transfer window. After a season marred by recurring injuries, the striker’s form hasn’t quite met expectations, which has made him one of the more talked-about names in the market.
Alongside Barcelona, Premier League sides Tottenham and Newcastle have shown interest, as have Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus. Jesus himself is reportedly keen to stay in Europe and compete in the Champions League.
In an increasingly competitive chase, Barcelona have come forward with a very specific proposal. They’re only considering a loan deal for the 2025/26 season similar to the structure used in their deal for Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.
That said, there’s a key difference in the potential Jesus negotiation. According to reports, Barcelona are asking Arsenal to cover a larger portion of the Brazilian’s wages than what was agreed with United in the Rashford deal. This financial detail could be the deciding factor in whether or not the move goes through.
