Barcelona Reveals Why Gabriel Jesus Was Signed Instead of Lautaro Martinez After Inter Refused to Sell

Barcelona sporting director Deco has explained why the club ended its pursuit of Inter Milan captain Lautaro Martinez and eventually signed Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal during the summer transfer window.

Lautaro was among the forwards Barcelona considered as they searched for attacking reinforcements following Robert Lewandowski’s departure to Major League Soccer. However, Deco said the club stopped pursuing the Argentina international after Inter made it clear that their captain was not available for transfer.

Deco said Barcelona respected Inter’s position and did not make contact with either Lautaro or his representatives after receiving the response from the Italian club. He described the striker as an exceptional player and an important figure at Inter, but said Barcelona’s approach was to move on once the club made its position clear.

Barcelona ultimately turned to Gabriel Jesus, signing the Brazilian from Arsenal on a three-year contract for a reported fee of around £8.6 million. The 29-year-old arrived after four seasons in London, where he made 123 appearances and scored 32 goals, having previously enjoyed a successful six-year spell at Manchester City.

Deco explained that Jesus offered qualities Barcelona wanted in their forward line. He described him as a top player and pointed to the possibility that a change of club and environment could provide fresh motivation after the striker had fallen down Arsenal’s attacking pecking order. Jesus had made 27 appearances for Arsenal during the previous campaign, scoring six goals.

Barcelona’s decision was also shaped by developments elsewhere in the transfer market. The club made a serious attempt to sign Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, with president Joan Laporta confirming in July that a formal offer had been submitted. Atletico maintained that Alvarez was not for sale, leaving Barcelona to pursue other solutions.

Interestingly, the biggest change to Barcelona’s attack has come from within the existing squad. Hansi Flick and the coaching staff explored moving Raphinha into the centre-forward position, and the Brazilian has responded with a remarkable scoring run. He has scored 14 goals in eight matches this season, including 12 in seven LaLiga games, according to the latest figures.

Deco has therefore closed the door on the idea that Barcelona simply preferred Jesus to Lautaro. The club wanted Lautaro, but Inter’s refusal to sell ended that route. Barcelona then secured Jesus as an experienced attacking option, while Raphinha’s successful transition into a central role has provided an unexpected solution to the striker problem.