Copa Libertadores hero Gabriel Barbosa ‘could join West Ham or Crystal Palace’ if Flamengo cannot agree deal as Inter Milan look to spark bidding war for £26m-rated striker
- Gabigol’s goalscoring form for Flamengo has attracted Premier League interest
- The striker’s two goals fired Flamengo to Copa Libertadores glory on Saturday
- The 23-year-old is currently on loan at the Brazilian club from Inter Milan
- Gabigol has scored 31 goals in 38 games for Flamengo this season
Flamengo’s Copa Libertadores hero Gabigol could be set for a January move to Crystal Palace or West Ham, according to reports.
The striker stole the headlines on Saturday after scoring two late goals to fire his side to a 2-1 win over River Plate and a first Copa Libertadores success since 1981.
Gabigol is currently on loan at the Brazilian club from Inter Milan and his form in front of goal has now attracted interest from Premier League clubs.
Gabigol’s goalscoring heroics for Flamengo have attracted interest from the Premier League
West Ham and Crystal Palace will reportedly make £25 million bids for the striker in January
Gabigol’s two goals fired Flamengo to Copa Libertadores glory on Saturday night
The 23-year-old has scored 31 goals in 38 games for Flamengo this season, and reports in Italy claim West Ham and Crystal Palace will bid for him in January.
Flamengo had been tipped to seal a permanent deal for Gabigol, after revealing they had already opened talks with the player and Inter.
‘We have been in touch with Inter,’ Landim told a press conference after Saturday’s victory. ‘We haven’t agreed on anything yet, but the negotiations are well under way.
Gabigol is currently on loan at Flamengo from Inter Milan, who he joined back in 2016
‘Everything will depend on what the player would like to do and, thereafter, we will have to discuss the wages.’
The Fla have offered him a five-year deal until 2024 and a salary of £5 million per season, according to FCInternews, but the striker is believed to been keen on a return to Europe.
West Ham and Palace are both willing to part with £25 million for the Brazil international, while Fiorentina and Schalke are also weighing up bids.
Gabigol moved to Inter from Santos in August 2016 but has since had loan spells at Benfica, Santos and Flamengo.
The striker has made just 10 appearances in the three years since he moved to San Siro and has just one goal to his name for the club.
