Newcastle United have reportedly turned their attention back to striker Gabriel Barbosa, with Benfica refusing to sell Darwin Nunez.
According to a report from the Mirror, the Magpies are lining up a January loan move for the Brazilian striker.
Newcastle’s need for a new forward has magnified following a huge injury blow.
Callum Wilson limped off midway through the 1-1 draw with Manchester United on Monday, and there are fears he could now miss all of Newcastle’s January games.
Supporters are waiting for an official update from the club on Wilson. But his injury record is concerning, so people are unsurprisingly worried.
Newcastle are said to like Barbosa, who plays for Flamengo.
The 25-year-old is said to prefer to stay in his homeland, but Flamengo are open to loaning him out. The report also states Newcastle would include a £17 million option to buy the player if they survived relegation.
Supposedly, Newcastle are looking at Barbosa, after Benfica ruled out selling their coveted striker Nunez in the January window. Supposedly the Champions League outfit said they didn’t want to sell in January, valuing Nunez at £60 million ahead of summer 2022.
The club were last linked with a move for the man also known as ‘Gabigol’ back in November.
It was claimed Flamengo would demand around £30 million to sell.
Newcastle moving for Gabriel Barbosa would be a risky move
Newcastle making a January play for Gabriel Barbosa would be a very risky move from the club.
He has a great goalscoring record in Brazil. He’s bagged 84 goals in 124 matches for Flamengo and notched 43 in 125 for his first club Santos.
But the Premier League is obviously a big step up from the Brazilian Serie A.
Whether Barbosa would be able to hit the ground running immediately is questionable. And that’s precisely what Newcastle need of the next striker they sign with Wilson now injured again.
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