Everton and West Ham United have reportedly joined Newcastle in the race for Leganes playmaker Gabriel Pires.
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez
According to The Mirror, Newcastle target Gabriel Pires has a release clause of just £6million – but the Magpies face competition from both Everton and West Ham United.
Gabriel, 23, joined Italian giants Juventus from Vasco da Gama in his native Brazil back in 2011, but never played a game for the Turin club, instead being sent out on loan to Resende, Pro Vercelli, Spezia, Pescara, Livorno and Leganes.
A permanent move to Leganes followed last summer after scoring eight goals in 40 games to help the Spaniards to promotion to La Liga, and the attacking midfielder has been one of their key players this term.
With five goals and two assists, Gabriel has impressed for Leganes, who have avoided relegation back to the second tier, but they could now be set to lose their Brazilian playmaker this summer.
General view inside Goodison Park
The Mirror report that Newcastle are again looking to bring in Gabriel having failed with a January move, and they have been given some hope now that they can allegedly activate a £6million release clause in his contract.
Adding a talented playmaker to play in the No. 10 role could be vital for Newcastle this summer, and the technically-gifted Gabriel could fit the bill, with Spaniard Benitez no doubt aware of his exploits in La Liga.
West Ham United manager Slaven Bilic
However, the report also adds that the promoted Magpies will face competition from both Everton and West Ham United in the race for Gabriel’s signature, with Zenit St. Petersburg also keen – though the player himself allegedly isn’t interested in a move to Russia.
A Premier League move seems the most likely switch for Gabriel this summer, and Benitez’s long-term pursuit and more first-team football could give Newcastle and edge over Everton and West Ham, though the former have Europa League football to offer, and the latter can give him a move to London, where many foreign players want to play – meaning this could be an intriguing battle for the playmaker’s signature.
Do you think Gabriel should join Everton, Newcastle or West Ham?
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