Liverpool are one of a number of big-name European clubs interested in signing Santos wonderkid Angelo Gabriel, the club’s sporting director Jorge Andrade has told Radio Bandeirantes, translated by UOL.
Arsenal-linked Kaio Jorge isn’t the only Santos starlet with admirers in the Premier League.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool snapped up Marcelo Pitaluga from Fluminense in October and, five months on, the Merseyside giants have returned to South America for another of Brazil’s most promising youngsters.
Angelo Gabriel, a hugely talented, jet-heeled winger, is following in the footsteps of Pele, Robinho, Neymar and more at Santos, becoming the second-youngest debutant in the club’s 108-year history.
And, according to Andrade, Liverpool have already made their interest known with just a few months remaining until the transfer market opens again.
“Angelo is a boy who has been growing, developing and (the scouts) are certainly watching him. Not only Liverpool but other teams in the European market as well,” admits the Santos sporting director.
Blessed with speed, skill and the ability to embarrass full-backs with his outrageous technical ability, it’s no real surprise Gabriel has been compared frequently to another Santos graduate.
“In the first training session, we noticed he had a lot of skill and speed above average,” his former coach Betinho told Correio Braziliense.
“(He reminds me of) Neymar for his dribbling at speed and change of direction. A very interesting player who will evolve and shine.”
Santos sold Neymar for about £50 million when Barcelona came calling eight years ago. It remains to be seen how much Angelo Gabriel will go for if Liverpool firm up their interest.
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