Jesus also extended his gratitude to Deco and Flick for facilitating his transfer from Arsenal to Barcelona.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Arsenal striker, Gabriel Jesus, has disclosed that he took a significant pay cut in order to make his dream of playing for La Liga giants Barcelona come true.
The Brazilian forward made this known on Tuesday while addressing journalists for the first time since he moved from the Emirates Stadium to Camp Nou.
Jesus made the switch from England to Spain on transfer deadline day for a reported initial fee of £8.6 million, along with an additional £4.3 million in performance-related bonuses.
Having recently entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners, the 29-year-old striker committed to a three-year contract with Hansi Flick’s team.
While extending his gratitude to Barcelona’s sporting director, Deco, and the club’s manager, Flick, for facilitating his transfer, Jesus described his move to Camp Nou as a “fantastic opportunity”.
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As reported by Marca, the Brazilian international went on to add: “Everything transpired very swiftly. Everyone is aware of my journey; I faced two challenging years, yet my abilities are well recognised, and this circumstance facilitated the process. I am thrilled to join such a prestigious club. I extend my gratitude to Deco and Flick for facilitating my transfer.
“I have faith in God, and I was assured that something would materialise. My belief in God is unwavering. I understood that if I conducted myself properly, anything was possible. I have put in considerable effort. Although I was sidelined at Arsenal, I remained hopeful for positive outcomes.
“Just a week ago, I received a notification indicating that this transfer could occur. I perceived it as an excellent opportunity and felt elated. I was filled with anticipation. Now, it is time to commence training and playing so that we can all experience joy.
“Not only did I make an effort, but Barça also made a great effort to make this signing happen. I lowered my salary significantly, but it is a dream to be here at Barcelona. God is always watching.
“Considering everything that has transpired, at the age of 29, after all I have endured, the chance to be here is a true blessing. I possess the talent, and I am aware of it. I am enthusiastic. I aspire to contribute. I am thankful for the efforts of Deco, the president, and my agents, but my desire was always to play for Barça.”
