Newcastle United have been looking at signing Gabriel Barbosa for three years now, the Chronicle suggest.
Barbosa to Newcastle?
Newcastle are in the market for a new striker in January now, with Callum Wilson set to miss a sizeable chunk of the season with injury.
Wilson’s absence is a huge blow for Newcastle, as he is their biggest goal threat and one of their classiest players.
Replacing him will be a majorly tough challenge, even with their financial power.
But the Chronicle suggests that Barbosa may well be an option to come in at Newcastle.
The Magpies have apparently been scouting him since 2018, with Steve Nickson even travelling to Brazil to keep a close eye on him.
Barbosa certainly has impressed in his homeland too, with 29 goals to his name this season.
He is one of the most in-form strikers in world football right now, and his confidence is surely high.
One big concern
But the worry for Newcastle may be his past record in Europe.
Barbosa’s previous spell at Inter Milan didn’t go according to plan and they desperately need a striker who can hit the ground running.
Newcastle must get their recruitment right in January otherwise they risk relegation, given their current position in the Premier League table.
And although Barbosa may well be a talent, there look safer options for Newcastle to take, rather than going after a £17 million striker with no previous experience of scoring in the Premier League.
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