Barcelona Transfer News: Gabriel Jesus Reveals 'Dream' Move Amid Latest Rumours

Palmeiras forward Gabriel Jesus has labelled Barcelona as a “dream” destination should he move clubs this summer.

The 19-year-old has been extremely impressive in his native Brazil of late, shining in Serie A and triggering a flurry of speculation over a move to Europe. Barcelona are one team that have been strongly linked with Jesus, and the player himself suggested that’d be his preferred destination.

“To go to Barca would be a dream,” he said, per Joaquim Piera of Sport. According to Piera, the player “won't let the opportunity to move to Camp Nou pass.”

In a previous piece, Piera noted there is a clutch of elite European clubs interested in the player, including Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain. Per Duncan Castles of ONE World Sports, Manchester City have made a £16.7 million bid for the youngster.

Here is a look at why the teenager is said to have caught the eye of so many clubs:

“I am aware of my conditions, I know what my potential is and what I can give,” said Jesus of how far he can go in the game, per Piera. “I am working really hard. I push myself to the limit to do what I most like doing, which is playing football. I'm really enjoying myself.”

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Jesus' recent performances have been particularly impressive. He has shown a great deal of versatility already in his career, operating on both flanks and through the middle for Palmeiras this term.

It’s easy to see why Barcelona would be keen on the youngster too. After all, he tends to come alive in the final third, whether that’s with key passes for team-mates or driving dangerously at opposition defenders. As these numbers from WhoScored.com show, he’s also a significant goal threat:

According to Piera, Barcelona have already made their move for the youngster, with a bid of €19 million plus €5 million in add-ons lodged. It’s a show of just how highly the Blaugrana rate the young man, with manager Luis Enrique needing to add some cover for Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Jesus’ compatriot Neymar in the forward positions.

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Some would have reservations over spending that kind of money on the Palmeiras starlet, though. After all, he is still relatively new on the scene and has yet to show his quality in an elite division. There are green parts of his game too, especially in terms of movement, decision-making and physicality.

Spanish football journalist Rafael Hernandez is unconvinced by Jesus and unsure whether he’s good enough for Barcelona’s first-team squad:

There would be a lot for Enrique to work with if he were to bring the player in. Jesus is a vibrant operator and has an infectious enthusiasm for the game. You suspect he’d be capable of doing an excellent job in any of the three forward slots and would learn plenty from the illustrious attackers already at the Camp Nou.

While Barcelona fans may be a little disappointed the club’s revered academy, La Masia, is not producing youngsters who can push for first-team spots at the moment, scouring the globe for the most exciting up-and-comers around is encouraging. And Jesus would undoubtedly bring something refreshing to the Catalan club.