There was a deadline-day arrival at Barcelona — but it wasn’t the player La Liga’s champions had been chasing all summer.Hansi Flick’s team made Atletico Madrid forward Julian Alvarez their big target for this window but were met with total resistance by their domestic rivals.Instead, Gabriel Jesus arrived in a rapidly concluded deal with Arsenal. Barca had been facing up to the prospect of having to make do without a recognised No 9, but the 29-year-old will cover the departures of Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres.Barca sources — speaking anonymously as they did not have permission to comment — describe a player who fits Flick’s style and say the German manager quickly approved his addition when presented with the opportunity. Those same sources say Barca will pay an initial €10million (£8.5m; $11.5m) plus €4.5m in potential add-ons.Jesus is seen as a hard-working striker, a diligent presser and a positive dressing room figure who has shown his willingness to join them. At his unveiling on Tuesday, he said he had taken “a significant pay cut” to sign for Barca. He also has winning experience under his belt, another asset Flick wanted to add this summer.Despite missing out on Alvarez, Barca’s front line has been reinforced. Fellow summer signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, special requests from Flick, have hit the ground running and, in the new season’s early throes, they have helped make a striker-less Barca side into a more unpredictable team. It will be interesting to see how this develops.But the signing who, by some distance, most excited the Barca fanbase was Rodri. His arrival is seen as a statement of how ambitious the club is, and the fact Real Madrid were also after the Spain captain has been widely celebrated.Rodri turned down rival interest from Real Madrid to join Barca (David Ramos/Getty Images)In defence, there has not been a major revamp — quite the opposite. Ronald Araujo left for Liverpool on loan and the only arrival was Joao Cancelo, who was always expected to join after a successful loan spell last term.Earlier in the window, Barca were informed that Athletic Club’s Aymeric Laporte was keen on joining them. Club officials were told the Spain international would be available for around €15million, but when they started to explore a deal, they learnt Athletic did not want to sell, despite Laporte being interested in the option. As soon as Barca understood the actual conditions, they backed out.Overall, Barca are satisfied with how the window has unfolded. They believe their work has helped assemble a team Flick is very happy to work with and is better than last season. Here’s The Athletic’s review.Was this window a success or a failure?A success, because Barca have improved the team in a way that Flick wanted. The arrivals of Gordon and Adeyemi have refreshed the attack with players who embody the manager’s style, bringing greater versatility and aggression. The new-look front line has started brilliantly, with Barca scoring 12 goals in their first three La Liga games.