Nine months in the works - The full story behind Barcelona’s signing of Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus' signing at FC Barcelona came like a bolt out of the blue and was completed in a matter of hours.

Indeed, reports of a move for the striker emerged on 30 August (Sunday) and an agreement was finalised moments later, before he arrived in Barcelona the next day and the transfer was officially announced on 1 September (Tuesday).

But, according to SPORT , the deal had actually been on Deco's radar for nine months. Jesus only joined Hansi Flick's squad towards the end of the summer window after a series of approaches, refusals and a dramatic change of plans.

Barcelona began last season knowing that Robert Lewandowski was entering his final campaign at the club.

The Catalans' main target to replace him was Julian Alvarez, while Atletico Madrid made it clear that they had no intention of giving up their star forward.