Gabriel Jesus revealed he took pay cut to move from Arsenal to dream club Barcelona after completing the signing with the latter on Tuesday. The Brazilian striker has joined Barça on a three-year contract after the two clubs agreed a deal worth up to €15 million (£12.85m) with a sell-on fee included.

“I took a significant salary drop, but it’s a dream to be here,” Jesus confirmed at his presentation.

“But it wasn’t just me who had to make an effort to get the transfer over line, Barça also played their part.

“If you had asked me one month ago, I would have said it was unlikely this would happen. At 29, I didn’t think I would have the chance to come to Barça.”

Jesus’ move was finalised after Barcelona could not seal a deal from Atletico Madrid for forward Julian Alvarez. The Argentine is also on the radar of Premier League champions Arsenal.

Jesus said he came to know that the La Liga club is interested to rope in his services last weekend.

“A week ago I received a message that it could happen,” he added. “When I started to think it was a real possibility, I was so excited. Now I can’t wait to start training and playing.

“It doesn’t annoy me [being Plan B to Álvarez], it doesn’t bother me. What annoys me is if people say I’m a bad guy, which has never happened in my life — or if I am not playing football, that bothers me.

“I have the chance to play for Barcelona, a chance I had 10 years ago and now life has offered me that opportunity again.”

The 29-year-old suffered an ACL injury in 2025 and since then he has been facing challenges to stay at the top of his fitness.

“The last two years have been really complicated after the knee injury,” Jesus said. “I was out of the game for almost one year, but it’s in the past. I feel good physically now.

“I recovered well, returned to action for Arsenal, and I am 100% ready to play and give my all.”