The respected Italian football journalist says the Hammers option “remains open” for Gabigol but a switch to Brazil has “better odds”.
Respected Italian football journalist Gianluca Di Marzio has claimed that Inter Milan forward Gabriel Barbosa could yet move to West Ham this year.
However, he also suggested that the likelihood of Gabigol finding himself playing in his native Brazil is higher than that of moving to the Premier League.
Barbosa failed to live up to expectations at the San Siro following his move from Santos for around £29.5m in the summer of 2016, scoring just once in Serie A (Transfermarkt).
However, Gabigol’s loan spell at his former club last time out saw him score 27 goals in all competitions, finishing as the Brazilian league’s top scorer.
A report from Calciomercato on Thursday warned that Barbosa’s prospective move to the London Stadium was still on hold due to work permit issues.
Indeed, it cited Douglas Luiz’s failed switch to Manchester City as proof that the paperwork surrounding such moves is not just a formality.
“The West Ham option remains open, as it will depend on the necessary work permit to play in the Premier League,” Di Marzio wrote on his website.
“Even if he receives a work permit, it will also depend on Gabigol’s will to play in England. On the other hand, the Brazil solution has better odds at the moment. Between ideas and options, there is still a lot to be settled.”
Di Marzio’s comments could be taken in one of two ways – optimism due to the fact that the move seemingly remains open and the prospect of such a prolific striker bracing the Premier League?
Or pessimism given the work permit issues, the apparent lack of absolute certainty about Gabigol’s desire to play in England, and the “better odds” regarding a Brazil return amid reported interest from Flamengo (UOL Esporte)?
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