Manchester have reportedly received a boost in their pursuit of Gabriel Barbosa, with Santos experiencing financial difficulties.
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While this is surely a distressing time for everyone at the South American giants, it could now be a ideal opportunity for United to get their man, who the aforementioned outlet claim has also courted interest from Premier League champions Leicester City as well as Spanish and Italian giants such as Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid.
The Santos forward, who played alongside Neymar and new Manchester City signing Gabriel Jesus in Brazil’s attack, said: ‘Until now, I haven’t really had time to think about anything [relating to my future] because my attention was on the Olympics.
Gabigol certainly falls in to that category and given the interest being shown in the teenager and the kind of fee they can command from the likes of United, it wouldn’t come as a surprise if Santos decide to sell over the coming days. The arrival of Gabigol, to either Juventus or Inter, however, is not going to happen before January 2017.
Despite still only being 19, Barbosa has already forged a reputation for himself as one of the best players still playing domestically in his native Brazil.
Barcelona have first right of refusal on the player because he was included in a clause on the 2013 Neymar transfer from Santos.
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Capable of playing off either wing, as well as in his preferred central role as a striker, Barbosa possesses lightning pace, and a cool head inside the box for someone as young as he is.
