ESPN Brasil are reporting that Premier League club Arsenal have made an offer for 19 year old Santos forward Gabriel Barbosa. The young Brazilian was part of his country’s Copa América squad, notching a goal against Panama in the group stages and he is also set to take part in Brazil’s Olympic squad in Rio.
It is well known that the teenager is looking to move to Europe, having been regarded as something of a sensation in the last 3 year or so back home in Brazil. There is an offer on the table from a Chinese club and one from Italian side Fiorentina.
Gabriel, nicknamed ‘Gabigol’, has been watched by Europe’s biggest clubs for some time and it is thought that his preference is to take the leap to an elite European club. ESPN Brasil report that Arsenal have approached Gabriel’s representatives and that the forward is interested in moving to London.
How real Arsenal’s interest is is open to debate. Having missed out on Jamie Vardy, it is well known that the Gunners are in the market for a forward. Santos play a similar 4-2-3-1 system to Arsenal, with Gabigol stationed in a free role on the right of the attack.
However, with the only concrete offers on the table coming from China and Florence, this could just be an attempt to flush out more elite suitors. Gabigol and his agents will doubtless look upon the Olympic games as a chance to market his talents to Europe’s big clubs.