Signing Gabriel Barbosa would be huge gamble by Marcel Brands

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Everton are reportedly keen on Inter Milan’s Gabriel Barbosa.

Everton are unlikely to make many signings in January, as majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri told talkSPORT (11:25am, November 9, 2018), with plenty of business done over the summer.

The Toffees landed the likes of Yerry Mina, Kurt Zouma, Lucas Digne, Andre Gomes, Bernard and Richarlison to add real quality to their squad, meaning they aren’t exactly desperate for any signings in January.

However, director of football Marcel Brands will still be keeping a close eye on players around the world for potential moves, and one rumour about a potential incoming is gathering pace.

Tuttomercatoweb claim that Everton have made contact with Inter Milan about a loan-to-buy deal for striker Gabriel Barbosa, but the Italian giants want an immediate sale even for a cheaper price for Financial Fair Play reasons.

Once tipped as the ‘next Neymar’ having become a sensation with Santos, Barbosa has just come off a 27-goal loan spell back with the Brazilian side, and at just 22, he clearly has untapped potential.

This would be Brands’ biggest gamble at Everton so far though. Barbosa moved to Europe with Inter in 2016, and spent time on loan with Benfica last season. His total record in Europe stands at just two goals in 15 games.

Even though Yerry Mina was largely unproven outside of South America, he still had a strong World Cup campaign and had shown flashes with Barcelona, whereas Inter seemingly can’t wait to offload Barbosa.

Barbosa’s record in Europe suggests that he could be a flop in the Premier League, and whilst a loan-to-buy would lessen some of the risk, Inter seem determined to sell him straight away in January, and that could be a real gamble from Brands.

Coming into a team with other South Americans such as Mina, Bernard and Richarlison may help, as well as with Portuguese speakers in Gomes and boss Marco Silva, but with no record outside of one team in Brazil, Barbosa shouldn’t be a priority for Everton in January, even with a striker potentially being their biggest need.