Palmeiras held talks with Gabriel Jesus before Barcelona move as striker eyes future return | OneFootball

According to Nosso Palestra, Palmeiras held informal talks with Gabriel Jesus until days before his Barcelona move, following his spell at Arsenal.

The academy graduate faced an uncertain situation at Arsenal and was waiting on offers from European clubs. He told the board his preference was to remain in Europe for a few more seasons.

Palmeiras believed that if he stayed at Arsenal, his career plan might shift and a deal could emerge in this window. Barcelona then made a proposal and secured his signing.

After the agreement, Palmeiras were told the forward would like to return to Brazil in two years.

"I think about it every day, I follow the team. I watched yesterday's game, unfortunately they lost. It is my dream, I have made it clear that one day I will return, I just do not know when, whether it is today or tomorrow, so I think about it every day," he told ESPN in May.

"The future belongs to God, it is a club I have great affection for, I am a passionate supporter, I have said it many times and my option when I return to Brazil will always be Palmeiras."

Source: Nosso Palestra

“Artificial intelligence was used to assist in creating this article based on reporting from the original source quoted.”