In one of the more unexpected signings on transfer deadline day, Gabriel Jesus joined Barcelona from Arsenal in a deal worth an initial €10 million. The Brazilian signed a three-year deal at Camp Nou and immediately became the only recognised striker in Hansi Flick's first-team squad. The transfer even caught Flick by surprise. The coach admitted he didn't expect the 29-year-old to be available -- and certainly not for such a low fee -- as Barça sought reinforcements following the summer exits of Robert Lewandowski, Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford.

Jesus was not Barça's first choice. They had hoped to land Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez -- and could still try and sign the Argentine again in the future -- but were forced to look elsewhere given their La Liga rival's refusal to negotiate a deal. With Raphinha currently playing as a makeshift striker, backed up by Egyptian teenager Hamza Abdelkarim, Flick remained keen to sign a No. 9 heading into the final days of the window.

Jesus has been on Barça's radar for more than a decade. They had extensive scouting reports on him when he played for Palmeiras, before he joined Manchester City in 2016, but that historic interest is unrelated to sporting director Deco's move for him this summer. As the two clubs traded blows last week, and Atlético CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marín said he would "never" transfer Álvarez to Barça, who he says tapped up the player, Deco returned to Plan B, a lower-cost option to satisfy Flick's request.

"It happened very quickly," Jesus, who took a pay cut to push the move through, confirmed on Tuesday. "It was only a week ago that I received a message that it could happen." Flick views Jesus as someone who can fit his team's high-pressing playing style like a glove. "I was a little surprised we had the opportunity to get him," the coach said after Monday's 5-2 win over Rayo Vallecano. "I really love him, I like his style to play football. It fits with our style. I think he can help us a lot."