Barcelona had a backup plan prepared earlier than their pursuit of Julian Alvarez reached its closing stage, and that preparation finally led them to Gabriel Jesus.
The Brazilian joined Barça from Arsenal for an preliminary €10 million in a deal that appeared to return collectively virtually out of nowhere.
In actuality, although, contact over a doable transfer had began no less than per week earlier, in keeping with sources from Mundo Deportivo.
Barcelona had remained dedicated to the thought of signing Alvarez proper till the top of the window.
The Atletico Madrid striker was eager on the transfer, whereas Joan Laporta, Deco and Hansi Flick had been aligned on the need to deliver him to Catalonia.
However there was additionally an acceptance throughout the membership that reaching an settlement with Atletico this summer season could be extraordinarily troublesome due to Miguel Angel Gil Marin’s place.
That’s the place Jesus entered the image.
Barcelona wanted somebody on precedence
Moderately than permit the uncertainty surrounding Alvarez to depart Flick and not using a recognised quantity 9, Barcelona started exploring alternate options.
After exploring a number of market alternatives, Jesus was approached to know whether or not he would contemplate the transfer, and the reply was a right away sure.
The Brazilian had lengthy needed to play for Barcelona. Actually, he had the chance to join the club in 2016, however Manchester Metropolis pushed forward with the deal and took him to England as an alternative.
His state of affairs at Arsenal additionally made a switch doable, as Mikel Arteta didn’t contemplate Jesus his first-choice striker, with Kai Havertz and Viktor Gyokeres forward of him within the pecking order.
Barcelona due to this fact discovered a participant who was accessible, and able to filling the particular position Flick needed.
The knee checks had been essential
Barcelona’s subsequent concern was Jesus’ physical condition, significantly the state of his knees.
These checks had been taken significantly due to the Brazilian’s earlier harm historical past.
On that word, Barcelona contacted the English docs who had handled his knees, and the suggestions gave the membership the boldness to proceed.
The medical evaluation eliminated one of many greatest potential obstacles to the deal and allowed Barcelona to finally transfer as soon as the choice was made.
