Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said he was surprised to be able to sign Gabriel Jesus after the Spanish champions struck a deal with Arsenal worth an initial €10 million ($11.6 million) for the striker.
Jesus, 29, arrived in Barcelona on Monday and was present at Spotify Camp Nou to watch his new teammates beat Rayo Vallecano 5-2 to make it three wins from three in LaLiga this season.
The Brazilian will sign a two-year deal with Barça on Tuesday before being officially presented as the Spanish champions’ sixth signing of the summer.
“I was a little surprised we had the opportunity to get him,” Flick said in a news conference after the Rayo victory. “I really love him, I like his style to play football, it fits with our style. I think he can help us a lot in the games.
“For us, he can be an important [player], so thanks to [sporting director] Deco because again he made an excellent job.”
Jesus follows Anthony Gordon, Karim Adeyemi, Rodri, João Cancelo and Dominik Livaković in the door at Camp Nou.
Barça had also hoped to sign Julián Álvarez, but Atlético Madrid have refused to negotiate with them, while they also remain open to bringing in another centre-back.
However, with the transfer window closing on Tuesday, further additions now seem unlikely.
“I don’t think so, but we will see,” Flick said when asked if more signings were expected in the next 24 hours.
Regardless, the early signs are promising this season for Barça, who have now scored 12 goals in their opening three games to kick off their defence of LaLiga in style.
With no recognised No.9 at the club before Jesus’ arrival — with the exception of Egyptian teenager Hamza Abdelkarim, who made his LaLiga debut off the bench against Rayo — Raphinha has been playing as the team’s striker.
The former Leeds United man scored twice against Rayo to take his tally to five goals so far this season and move ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé as the league’s top scorer.
“Of course I expect this,” Flick added of Raphinha’s start to the new campaign. “He is a fantastic player, a world class player.
“Also [becoming the captain] is something very positive for him. At the moment, he shows exactly what we need from him.”
Monday’s win was also notable for Lamine Yamal‘s first goals of the campaign.
The Spain international netted a brace with two stunning strikes, while Barça’s other goal came via an own goal, with both Rayo’s efforts scored by Sergio Camello.
“Lamine always wants to improve and he can [improve],” Flick said. “For me I am very happy with him.
“Today when he’s doing what he’s doing, how he’s playing football, it’s amazing to see. For me he’s on an incredible level.”
Barça are next in action on Sunday, when they travel to Valencia for their fourth game of the LaLiga season.
