Gabriel Jesus joins Barcelona as final signing of the transfer window
Flick confirmed the Brazilian forward's arrival and ruled out further additions after the 5-2 rout of Rayo Vallecano.
Gabriel Jesus already took a stroll through Spotify Camp Nou, though not yet in uniform. The Brazilian forward was in the stands watching Barcelona thrash Rayo Vallecano 5-2, and before the final whistle he had already exchanged a few words with Hansi Flick. The German coach confirmed it Monday in his press conference: the striker will join as a reinforcement and, by all indications, will be the club's last move of this transfer window.
Asked whether he expected any further additions before the signing period closes, Flick was blunt:
I don't think so (that anyone else is coming in). We'll see, but I don't think so.Hansi Flick
The Barcelona coach made no attempt to hide his excitement about the Brazilian's arrival. Gabriel Jesus is still working his way back from a recent injury, but in Flick's view he's already fit to contribute. Flick described him as a piece that fits exactly where the team needed it.
He was coming off an injury, but I think he's fine. I was a little surprised to get the chance to sign him. I like how he plays, I like his style and I think he fits perfectly with our style. He can help us a lot.Hansi Flick
While the paperwork on Gabriel Jesus gets sorted out, the team keeps posting numbers that turn heads. With Monday's 5-2 win, Barcelona have racked up 12 goals in just 3 matches, an average hovering around four goals per game. Flick, though, preferred not to make too much of the statistic, saying what matters to him is picking up three points at a time. On the match itself, he noted that the first half was clearly dominated by his side, but that Rayo pushed back afterward and forced Barcelona to grind it out after cutting the deficit on the scoreboard.
Yamal and Raphinha, front and center again
As has become the norm, the German coach had words of praise for his two most decisive players. He highlighted Lamine Yamal's constant hunger to keep improving, while for Raphinha, the team's captain in recent weeks, he was generous with his compliments.
He's one of those who always has to be in my team. Being captain is a very positive situation for him, he's showing us what we need from him. A lot of things happened today that made me happy, I'm pleased, and I'll say it again, it's not easy. The way we play as a team is fantastic.Hansi Flick
With Gabriel Jesus's arrival practically finalized and a team that keeps piling up goals, Barcelona head into the rest of the season with a reinforced attack and a locker room that, according to Flick, keeps growing game after game.
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