Newcastle United may not be able to sign Gabriel Barbosa on loan in the January transfer window, with Flamengo holding out for a permanent deal.
Following the calf injury that Callum Wilson sustained in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United, a striker has been added to PIFs January wish-list.
Newcastle’s number nine is expected to be out for around six weeks, which will see him miss some crucial fixtures against sides in the bottom half of the table.
While Eddie Howe would ideally like to sign a Premier League proven striker to replace the club’s top goalscorer, the Northern Echo claim that there is an acceptance that it will be ‘all-but-impossible’ to sign a proven forward with a track record in the English top-flight this month.
As a result, Newcastle’s recruitment team is looking across the globe to add much-needed firepower to Howe’s side, and have reportedly identified the Flamengo striker as a potential option.
According to Sky Sports, Barbosa, who is nicknamed ‘Gabigol’, wants to play in the Premier League as he feels it would give him the best chance to secure his place as Brazil’s starting striker at this year’s World Cup in Qatar.
The 25-year-old has scored five times from 17 international caps. The Brazilian prodigy has rebuilt his career after an ill-fated spell at Italian giants Inter Milan.
Barbosa joined Inter for a fee of around €30m in 2016, but he failed to spark at the San Siro, where he scored one goal in 10 appearances, and a brief loan spell in Portugal with Benfica also proved to be a flop.
But he has rebuilt his career back on home soil and has scored 84 goals and made 26 assists from 124 games for Flamengo.
Newcastle aren’t the only Premier League side chasing his signature as West Ham are also interested in the Brazilian striker, although ‘Gabigol’ is reportedly keen to link-up with his compatriot Joelinton on Tyneside.
The Northern Echo claim that the Hammers have already had an offer that would have seen them pay around £5m to sign Barbosa on an 18-month loan deal, rejected by Flamengo.
According to Sky Sports, ‘Gabigol’ watches all of West Ham’s games and is said to be impressed with the job David Moyes is doing.
But with Flamengo unwilling to allow their prized asset to leave on a loan deal, PIF will have to decide whether the South American who has failed to shine in Europe previously is worth taking a big-money risk on.
With Newcastle flirting with relegation, our need to roll the dice on Gabriel Barbosa is greater than West Ham’s.
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