Arsenal's Jesus set for surprise Barcelona move

Arsenal's Gabriel Jesus during the Emirates Cup match at Emirates Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday August 9, 2026.

ARSENAL's Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus will have a medical in Spain on Monday ahead of a surprise €10m move to Barcelona.

A deal for Jesus is believed to be at an advanced stage and, while the finer details still require finalising, the transfer is expected to be completed before Tuesday's deadline.

Napoli had shown an interest in Jesus, but the 29-year-old is set to join last season's Spanish league champions after Gunners manager Mikel Arteta confirmed that Jesus was not training with the squad before Monday's Premier League game against Aston Villa (8pm).

When asked whether that meant Jesus was leaving, Arteta said: "Personal situations, whatever they are, I think it's clear."

Jesus would be Barcelona's third signing from a Premier League club this summer, following the arrivals of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle and Rodri from Manchester City.

Hamburg are in advanced talks to buy Arsenal midfielder Fabio Vieira in a €10m deal. The Gunners are looking to offload the 26-year-old before Tuesday's transfer deadline on Tuesday. Vieira spent last season on loan at Hamburg, making 29 Bundesliga appearances for the club, scoring seven goals.

The Portuguese midfielder joined Arsenal from Porto in 2022 for £34m but failed to establish himself at the Emirates. Vieira was loaned back to Porto during the 2024-25 campaign before his spell at Hamburg last season.

Gabriel Martinelli, meanwhile, has been given permission to undergo a medical at Saudi Arabia side Al Hilal with a deal of £55.7m agreed, a record sale for the Gunners.

Meanwhile, reported Arsenal target Julian Alvarez returned to Atletico Madrid ⁠⁠training at the weekend.

Alvarez missed three sessions last week due to illness before training by himself on Friday and then returning to train with the squad on Sunday.

He was left out of the squad for Saturday’s 3-1 win at Sevilla, with Atletico insistent he won't be sold to his preferred destination, Barcelona.

“The plan is crystal clear. Julian had a few days where he wasn’t feeling well. Yesterday he trained, and we hope he’ll be back in action quickly and be available for the next La Liga match. I’ve been ⁠⁠speaking to him as normal,” said ⁠⁠Mateu Alemany, Atletico’s director of football.

Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin accused ⁠⁠Barcelona of dishonesty last week and ⁠⁠said Alvarez would never be sold to them.

“There has not been and there will not be any negotiation with them [Barcelona] regarding Alvarez’s transfer,” Atletico’s board of directors said in the statement.