Barcelona has completed the sale of young defender Hector Fort while simultaneously finalizing the signing of Arsenal forward Gabriel Jesus. The Catalan giants announced the transfers on Tuesday, marking a key moment in their summer restructuring. Fort, who joined Real Sociedad on a five-year contract until 2031, will receive an initial fee of €8.5 million with a potential additional 50% payment upon future transfers. The club also retains the right to repurchase him for €20 million should they decide to bring him back. Fort, a product of Barcelona’s youth academy, made 30 appearances for the senior team and spent last season on loan at Elche, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 17 matches. Meanwhile, Gabriel Jesus has agreed to join Barcelona on a two-year deal worth around €10 million, with bonuses included. The Brazilian striker, 29, is set to arrive at the club shortly, likely before the end of the transfer window. Jesus, who joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 for £52 million, has made 123 appearances for the Gunners, scoring 32 goals and contributing 22 assists. His move to Barcelona comes after the departure of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres, with the club aiming to strengthen its attacking options ahead of the new La Liga season. The signing of Jesus represents a strategic shift for Barcelona, as they aim to bolster their frontline following the loss of two key players. The club had previously pursued Julian Alvarez, but negotiations with Atletico Madrid stalled, prompting them to turn to Arsenal instead. Alvarez, however, has remained a focal point of speculation, with reports indicating he still prefers to stay in Spain rather than return to England. Despite multiple offers from Manchester City, Alvarez has consistently rejected the idea of a return, citing personal reasons related to his family's well-being and the challenges of navigating the UK’s visa system. In addition to these major moves, Barcelona has already secured several other signings this summer, including Anthony Gordon for €80 million, Rodri for €60 million, and Karim Adeyemi for €22 million. These acquisitions have helped the club open their La Liga campaign strongly, winning 5-0 against Elche and 2-0 against Athletic Bilbao. With Raphinha and Ferran Torres both scoring in recent games, the attack appears formidable, though the need for a traditional center-forward remains evident. The financial implications of these deals have also drawn attention, particularly regarding Barcelona’s adherence to Financial Fair Play regulations. The club faces a tight deadline to complete all necessary paperwork and ensure compliance with UEFA rules, especially given the simultaneous completion of the Jesus transfer. This has added pressure to the administrative side of operations, as the club must navigate the complexities of registering new players within the remaining days of the transfer window. Despite these challenges, Barcelona’s management remains confident in their summer strategy. President Joan Laporta has reiterated the club’s interest in bringing Alvarez to Camp Nou, despite Atletico’s firm stance against such a move. The situation surrounding Alvarez continues to generate controversy, with Atletico insisting that the club has no intention of selling him to Barcelona, calling the rumors a fabrication designed to undermine their reputation. As the transfer window nears its close, Barcelona’s focus shifts toward preparing for the upcoming season. With a strong start to the campaign and a balanced squad, the club aims to maintain its position at the top of La Liga. However, the ongoing uncertainty around Alvarez and the logistical hurdles posed by the financial regulations could test the club’s ability to fully realize its ambitions in the coming months. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that all transfers are finalized in time for the new season to begin.
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