Gabriel Jesus skipped school to watch Barcelona. Now he is set to play for them

Gabriel Jesus used to skip school to watch Barcelona. More than a decade later, the club may provide the most impressive possible excuse for those absences: a first-team contract.

THE ABSENCES MAY FINALLY BE EXCUSED

The Brazilian has already arrived in the Catalan capital and is expected to undergo a medical ahead of his proposed transfer from Arsenal. The occasion prompted Mundo Deportivo to recall a comment he made on Rio Ferdinand’s podcast.

“When I was at school, I used to skip classes to watch the Champions League. I watched Barcelona a lot,” Jesus said.

That is a more accurate translation of the striker’s words than the shortened version suggesting that every absence was devoted exclusively to Barcelona. The meaning remains clear: the Brazilian grew up watching the team he may now join.

BARCELONA FIRST TRIED TEN YEARS AGO

The interest is not entirely new. Barcelona were already monitoring Jesus in 2016, when he was emerging at Palmeiras. The striker eventually chose Manchester City, where he won four Premier League titles among other honours, before joining Arsenal in 2022.

A decade later, the paths of the player and the Catalan club have crossed again. This time, the terms of the operation are considerably more affordable. According to media reports, Arsenal are set to receive around €10 million plus add-ons. Jesus is expected to sign a contract until 2028, with an option for an additional season.

The transfer is not official yet. Barcelona have not issued an announcement, and the player must complete his medical before signing the documents.

THE MOST IMPORTANT TEST WILL TAKE PLACE AT THE CLINIC

After arriving in Barcelona, Jesus insisted that his knee was in perfect condition. It was an important statement because fitness problems repeatedly restricted his playing time at Arsenal. The medical will therefore be more than a routine formality before his presentation.

If the examinations reveal no cause for concern, Barcelona will acquire an experienced and versatile forward for a relatively modest fee. The Brazilian can play through the middle or on either wing, contributes to the press and understands the demands of playing in a possession-dominant team.

His recent seasons, however, offer no guarantee of regular availability or a high goal return. Barcelona are not buying a ready-made replacement for Robert Lewandowski. They are taking a chance on a player they hope to rebuild after a difficult period in London.

A €10 MILLION DREAM

After failing to sign Julián Álvarez, Barcelona have turned to a much cheaper alternative. Jesus is not an operation of comparable scale, but he represents a significantly smaller financial risk. He can add depth following the departures of Lewandowski and Ferran Torres without consuming most of the available budget.

The story of his childhood admiration for Barcelona works perfectly in a transfer announcement. The success of the deal, however, will depend on the current condition of his knee rather than his old school attendance record.

If the medical goes well, those missed classes may finally be excused.