Manuel Pellegrini is in the market for a new forward in January and he has his sights set on Inter Milan and Brazil striker Gabriel Barbosa. The 22-year-old is currently on loan at Santos until January and with an impressive goalscoring record Pellegrini is keen to take a chance on the youngster, who has played alongside Neymar for his country.
Inter are set to get rid of Gabigol in January as Piero Ausilio, the club’s sporting director said there is simply no room for him at the club at this point in time. He said: “Gabigol will finish the loan with Santos in January and then return to Inter,” he said. “For the next six months we will have no space for him. We are happy with what he has done and we will find the best solution with him.”
The Italian giants would prefer a permanent deal in the region of £25m but they are open to loan offers until the summer as they are keen to get him off the wage bill. He currently earns £50k a week with the Nerazzurri and his deal runs until 2021 so it would take a decent offer to convince Inter to get rid on a permanent basis.
Barbosa has had the goal scoring touch for Santos this season having hit 18 goals in 35 games so far this season. This is his second spell at Santos having impressed in his first spell whilst he also boasts two goals in four international caps for his country.
Inter splashed out £27m to secure his signature back in 2016 but Barbosa has hit just one goal in his nine appearances for them. At West Ham, he would be the main man up front, with Marko Arnautovic being played down the middle when he is fit.
Andy Carroll, Javier Hernandez and Lucas Perez are all options but they have each failed to make the number nine spot their own at the London Stadium. Fellow Brazilian Felipe Anderson is loving life in East London after his move from Serie A, perhaps he could convince his countryman that West Ham is the right place for him as well.
