Barcelona’s sporting official explains the reasoning behind the surprise deadline-day acquisition of the Arsenal striker.
Bojan Krkic Reveals Why Barcelona Signed Gabriel Jesus
Barcelona sporting official Bojan Krkic has opened up about the club’s decision to sign Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus, providing insight into the unexpected transfer that caught many fans off guard.
The Catalan giants had spent much of the summer pursuing Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, but with time running out in the transfer window, they pivoted to secure the Brazilian international instead.
🚨🔵🔴 Barcelona and Arsenal have now exchanged documents for Gabriel Jesus deal.
€10m fixed fee, €4m add-ons and 20% sell-on clause.
Gabriel will land in Barcelona tomorrow for medical tests and contract signing.
Contract until June 2028 plus option to extend. pic.twitter.com/DXllprk8FA
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 30, 2026
Many supporters questioned the move given Jesus’s recent injury struggles and the perception that his best years may be behind him.
However, Krkic, who personally scouted the 27-year-old, believes the signing could prove to be a masterstroke for Hansi Flick’s side.
“I had high hopes for him. The reports were very good,” Krkic told SPORT.
“I went to watch him twice when he was at City and there was talk that he could leave, before he moved to Arsenal.”
The former Barcelona forward highlighted Jesus’s technical qualities as a key factor in the decision.
“He is a very good player technically. He can orient himself with both feet, carries the ball well and reacts very quickly in tight spaces,” Krkic explained.
Krkic emphasised that Jesus’s movement patterns perfectly align with Flick’s tactical vision.
“Gabriel Jesus is not a static center-forward. He can appear in every area of the box and also move out wide.
And that is precisely what Hansi wants: for them to constantly interchange positions.”
The Brazilian’s work rate off the ball also impressed the Barcelona hierarchy.
“What’s good about him is that he works very hard. He’s a team player and works extremely hard on the first line of the press,” Krkic added.
While acknowledging that Jesus may not deliver prolific goal numbers, Krkic believes his link-up play offers immense value.
“He is more of a link-up player than a goalscorer. His greatest quality is his combination play,” he stated.
Addressing concerns about the forward’s injury record, Krkic reassured supporters about his fitness. “He’s recovered and training at full intensity,” he confirmed.
“It’s a golden opportunity,” Krkic concluded. “It could turn out to be a great move for the club.”
