Deadline Day Drama: Barcelona Register Gabriel Jesus Just in Time
Barcelona endured a nerve-racking end to the transfer window with Gabriel Jesus, waiting until almost the last possible moment before finally breathing a sigh of relief.
FC Barcelona pushed the Gabriel Jesus deal right to the limit. After completing the signing of the striker from Arsenal, the Catalan club entered the final minutes of the transfer window with one crucial piece of business still unresolved: the Brazilian had yet to be officially registered with LaLiga.
The situation became increasingly tense as midnight approached. Barça had already completed a deal for a player expected to immediately strengthen Hansi Flick’s attack, but the final administrative step still had to be completed before he could become available for competition.
The breakthrough finally arrived with almost no time to spare. Gabriel Jesus was officially registered with just 15 minutes remaining before the transfer window closed, preventing a day designed to celebrate Barcelona’s final major signing of the summer from turning into an uncomfortable episode for the club.
Gabriel Jesus finally appears on LaLiga’s list
Confirmation came through LaLiga’s official website, where the 29-year-old Brazil international finally appeared as a registered Barcelona player.
The striker arrived from Arsenal in a deal worth €10 million plus add-ons and signed a three-year contract with the Catalan giants.
It capped a frantic few hours following his arrival in Barcelona on Monday. Gabriel Jesus underwent his medical, attended Barça’s LaLiga clash against Rayo Vallecano at the Camp Nou, signed his contract and celebrated the beginning of his new chapter before waiting for the final and decisive step.
His registration was not completed until just minutes before the transfer window officially slammed shut.
Flick can finally use his new striker
With the administrative drama resolved, Hansi Flick officially has another attacking option at his disposal.
Gabriel Jesus can now be included in the squad and, should the German coach decide to use him, could make his Barcelona debut on Sunday when the Catalan giants visit Valencia at Mestalla.
The Brazilian will also inherit a number carrying considerable weight at the club: he will wear the No. 9 shirt vacated by Robert Lewandowski following the expiration of the Polish striker’s contract.
His arrival also addresses a need previously identified by Flick, giving Barcelona another natural center-forward and providing the coach with greater flexibility across his attacking line.
Livakovic also gets through a frantic Deadline Day
Gabriel Jesus was not the only player whose situation Barcelona had to resolve during the final hours of a hectic Deadline Day.
The club also completed the registration of Dominik Livakovic, the 31-year-old Croatia international goalkeeper who signed a contract through 2030.
Livakovic will wear the No. 25 shirt and joins a goalkeeping group that also includes Joan Garcia and Wojciech Szczesny.
Barcelona ultimately managed to complete the necessary paperwork for both of their new arrivals before time expired. But in Gabriel Jesus’ case, they were forced to wait almost until the very end: just 15 minutes separated Barça from a successful conclusion to the window and the prospect of an embarrassing situation involving their newest star signing.
3 Key Takeaways From Barcelona’s Deadline Day Drama
- Just 15 minutes to spare: Gabriel Jesus was officially registered with LaLiga only a quarter of an hour before the transfer window closed.
- Flick can now call on his new striker: with his registration completed, the Brazilian could make his debut against Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday.
- Another signing also made it through: Barcelona completed the registration of Dominik Livakovic during a frantic final day, with the Croatian goalkeeper set to wear No. 25.
