FC Barcelona concluded the summer transfer window with the signing of Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesús, a last-minute deal worth €10 million according to data from Transfermarkt. The move came after Atlético Madrid refused to sell Argentine striker Julián Álvarez to their direct rival, as reported by El Universo on Tuesday, September 1st.
The Blaugrana spent a total of €184 million during this transfer period, making them the second-highest spending club in LaLiga, behind only Real Madrid. The signings of Anthony Gordon and Rodri were the most expensive, at around €80m and €60m respectively. The club also bolstered its defence with the free arrival of Joao Cancelo and added wingers Jesse Bisiwu and Karim Adeyemi, plus Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic.
Why did Barcelona sign Gabriel Jesús?
Barça's sporting direction was seeking a centre-forward following the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. The primary target was Julián Álvarez, but Atlético Madrid refused to negotiate with a domestic rival. Faced with this block, the Catalan club activated Gabriel Jesús's release clause at Arsenal, securing his signing just before the deadline. The 29-year-old Brazilian signs a contract until June 2029 and will wear the number 9 shirt.
Manager Hansi Flick had already expressed his satisfaction with the senior squad, but the board deemed this offensive reinforcement necessary. Gabriel Jesús brings Premier League experience and great mobility in the final third. His performance can be tracked on our stats page throughout the season.
What was Barcelona's total investment?
Barcelona's total investment amounts to €184 million, according to figures published by the portal Transfermarkt. This sum places the club very close to the record spending of Real Madrid, which exceeded €225 million. The €10m for Gabriel Jesús raised the final figure, which was initially around €174 million.
The Blaugrana squad is one of the oldest in the league, with an average age of 28.7 years. The signing of Jesús adds to an attacking unit that already included players like 19-year-old Lamine Yamal and new arrival Anthony Gordon. The full squad composition is available on our squad list.
What happened with the other LaLiga giants?
The market was dominated by the big three. Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid, and Barcelona accounted for over 70% of LaLiga's total investment, which was €733 million. Madrid signed Ivorian winger Yan Diomande for €140m, the most expensive transfer in their history. Atlético, for their part, strengthened their midfield with Lee Kang-in and Morten Hjulmand, and their attack with Jonathan David.
| Club | Investment (mill. €) | Most expensive signing |
|---|---|---|
| Real Madrid | 225 | Yan Diomande (140M) |
| FC Barcelona | 184 | Anthony Gordon (80M) |
| Atlético de Madrid | 123 | Lee Kang-in (35M) |
| Rest of LaLiga | 201 | - |
This disparity reflects the economic power concentrated in the capital and Barcelona. Betis, the fourth-most active team, spent just €30 million. The title race appears, once again, to be a matter for these three giants.
What is Barcelona's next fixture?
With the market closed, the focus returns to the pitch. Barcelona now faces a key sequence of matches in LaLiga, where they currently hold third place. Their next fixture is a trip to San Mamés to face Athletic Club on Saturday, September 5th. All schedule details are on our fixtures page.
Gabriel Jesús could make his official debut in that match, although his integration with the group will be assessed by Hansi Flick in training this week. The Brazilian forward has a binding contract with the club until the end of the 2028-29 season.
