Gabriel Jesus reveals he took ‘significant pay cut’ to £200,000-a-week Arsenal wages to seal Barcelona transfer

GABRIEL JESUS has revealed he spoke with his former Manchester City team-mates Joao Cancelo and Rodri to get their views on joining Barcelona. The striker, 29, has moved to the Spanish club for a £8.6m plus add-ons after Arsenal decided to cash in. Gabriel Jesus was presented as a Barcelona player on deadline day Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Jesus spoke of his delight to fulfil his childhood dream of playing for Barcelona Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Jesus will join forces with his Brazil team-mate, Raphinha, at the Nou Camp and is reunited with his former City colleagues Cancelo, Rodri and Eric Garcia. He said: “I spoke to them and they all told me good things, about the club, about the dressing room and about the staff. Sign up for the Arsenal newsletter Thank you! “A week ago, when I received the message that it (a move to Barcelona) could happen, I was happy and had confidence in what could be done. When I saw that it would become a reality, I was very excited. “These things happen in life. I don’t believe too much in coincidences. I was working and training hard, with the utmost respect, because I knew something good would happen to me.” Jesus has also confirmed he took a pay cut after being on over £200,000-a-week at Arsenal. The Brazilian added: “Not only me, but Barca also made a great effort to make this signing happen. “I took a significant pay cut, but it’s a dream to be here at Barcelona.” Asked about being Barca’s second choice after they chased Julian Alvarez, he replied: “It doesn’t bother me when they say I’m just another option. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Jesus (left) celebrates his fifth Premier League title alongside compatriots Gabriel Martinelli (centre) and Gabriel Magalhães (right) Credit: Getty “It offends me when they say I’m a bad guy. It bothers me not to play. I have a real opportunity to be at Barca.” Five-time Premier League winner Jesus watched from the stands at the Camp Nou last night as Hansi Flick‘s side ran out 5-2 winners against Rayo Vallecano. Two goals each from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal and a Jules Kounde strike meant Barca made it three wins from three in La Liga so far. Jesus’ international colleague Raphinha was the star of the show playing as an unorthodox number nine, similarly to the way Ousmane Dembele plays for PSG. Jesus is set to link up with the likes of Lamine Yamal (left) and Raphinha (right) in a star-studded Barca side Credit: Reuters The exhilarating Yamal played to the right, with summer signing Anthony Gordon, who registered another two assists to make it four assists in his first two matches for Barca, on the left. Hansi Flick’s side needed reinforcements up top following the departures of Ferran Torres to PSG and Robert Lewandowski to Chicago Fire this summer. It looks now as though those voids will now be filled by Jesus, and 18-year-old Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim, who replaced Raphinha late on last night. In 2016 whilst at Palmeiras, Jesus said it was his “dream” to one play for Barcelona at a time when his hero Neymar was playing at the Camp Nou, and he is now about to fulfil that dream. Comment now