London based clubs Chelsea and Arsenal are both in the hunt for 19 year old Brazilian ace Gabriel Barbosa, with interest from La Liga champions Barcelona as well, along with Serie A holders Juventus. The Premier League giants have been in the hunt to sign the young superstar who is nicknamed ‘Gabigol’ and currently plays in his native country for Santos, with The Mirror suggesting that the player could be all set for a £25m switch to Stamford Bridge this summer.
His current club had earlier stated that he had signed a contract extension till 2021, though the player has dismissed all such claims and an offer has now been made by the Blues.
ESPN Brazil had also suggested earlier that the Gunners’ chiefs were in talks with Barbosa’s representatives, though their domestic rivals seem the most likely to add him to their squad.
BetStars put a Chelsea switch for the Santos man at a 1/2, with Arsene Wenger’s side currently trailing at a 6/4 in the hunt to sign their target.
The attacker has a tally of five goals in ten appearances in the current Brazilian season, as he added yet another on Saturday as Santos beat Ponte Preta and in the post-match press conference stated, “I played as if it was my last game here. Soon you will know something.”
Further on Instagram he posted an image of himself kissing the Santos badge, with a message, “My heart is Alvinegro and it will always beat for you. Santos are my life. I will love you until death.”
With respect to the talks of an extension, he told Globe Esporte, “No, there is still no agreement. The president ended up talking, but there is nothing confirmed.”
“We are just talking. My parents and my representatives are talking. They have some things to discuss. I have proposals, too, but there’s nothing confirmed yet.”
“I need to talk with my parents and my representatives. We are talking and we are going to resolve it slowly.”
