Gabriel Barbosa, along with Gabriel Jesus, is a Brazilian attacker who has been tipped to be part of the next generation superstars of Brazil. There was a lot of conjecture regarding the duo’s next destinations, with both of them understood to be joining the Premier League. But in the end, it was Gabriel Jesus who signed a contract with Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City while Barbosa decided to explore the Serie A with Inter Milan who were having a mini-revival of their own. But things haven’t panned out the way he would have liked.
Having played a mere 17 minutes since the start of the season it is understood that his representatives are looking at various options with an initial loan move looking likely. Let us take a brief look at 3 clubs where he can hope to revive his career at.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Gabigol, as he is fondly known as, was linked to a host of Premier League clubs before joining Inter. Manchester United was one of the top clubs and unsurprisingly the name has cropped up again. United have a 35-year old and a 20-year old as options up top.
With Ibrahimović unlikely to stay beyond a year, United might well want to have the next superstar on their books and a future striker-force pairing of Rashford and Gabigol is something which might prove to be the best move by the board in recent years. He has been dubbed as the Next Neymar and under Mourinho at a club like United, he will have optimum resources to live up to the tag.
WEST HAM UNITED
The Hammers messed up big time in the summer transfer window and in their quest to sign the elusive big money striker, they failed to cover the rest of the areas on the pitch. With Andre Ayew not technically strong to be an out and out striker, Bilic is left with the absurd injury prone Andy Carroll and the ineffective Simone Zaza.
A loan move for Gabigol might not be the worst option for all the parties involved and the player can experience life in the top flight of English football before making a decision on his future.
LIVERPOOL
While it is difficult to dislodge a front three of Coutinho, Firmino and Mane as Sturridge has found out, there is a perfectly timed window in January where Barbosa might be a short-term fix for Jürgen Klopp. Mane is scheduled to turn up for Senegal in the African Cup of Nations which opens up an important position in the team. While Sturridge is likely to be ahead in the pecking order, Gabigol will still get chances to showcase his capabilities to Klopp.
