Newcastle United could do a ‘simple’ deal for Flamengo forward Gabriel Barbosa this month, according to The Chronicle‘s Lee Ryder.
Barbosa, who goes by the nickname Gabigol, is a long-term ‘Newcastle target’, having been scouted extensively by head of recruitment Steve Nickson.
The 25-year-old has previously had stints at Inter Milan and Benfica, but he made little impact at either club. At least he is highly regarded by his country, though, with 17 caps under his belt, and he was most recently called up for October’s World Cup qualifiers.
Writing for The Chronicle, Ryder claimed that Barbosa has been made available for loan and is ‘eager’ to test himself in Europe once again.
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It would be a quite straightforward transfer – an initial loan with ‘a £17million deal on offer’ at its culmination.
Sources close to the player have indicated that he ‘likes’ the idea of joining Newcastle, and the 25-year-old would apparently relish the idea of linking up with his compatriot Joelinton at St James’ Park.
Newcastle made an enquiry pre-Christmas but have not gone any further for now. They’re waiting to find out how long the injured Callum Wilson will be sidelined, with the club hopeful that Eddie Howe’s initial prognosis of a ‘months’-long absence may prove overly pessimistic.