Although scoring goals and creating chances haven’t been the most glaring areas where Leicester City have lacked this season, the Foxes are reportedly in the market for forwards. And as per The Guardian, the current Champions are plotting a bid for Inter Milan’s Brazilian youngster Gabriel Barbosa, who’s said to be ‘unhappy’ in Italy after getting only 16 minutes of game time this season.
Leicester City have 5 centre-forwards at the moment and this move could only possibly be Ranieri’s need to add sharpness on the flanks. Leicester have the likes of Albrighton and Riyad Mahrez starting but the former hasn’t had that big an impact as compared to Mahrez despite his tenacious performances.
Gabriel Barbosa will no doubt be an upgrade to Albrighton. The Brazilian has been seriously overlooked this season by the Inter Milan bosses. He could get just one appearance so far, where he failed to get an assist or create any chance. His current season’s stats, however, don’t reflect his potential.
The 20-year-old Brazilian has already 10 national caps in which he has scored 5 goals. Last season, he scored 5 times in 11 games in Santos with a shot accuracy of 63%, which reflects how effective an attacker Ranieri could get in him.
Getting his football education from famous Brazilian academy Santos, Gabigol, as he is popularly known, was touted to be the next Neymar by his compatriots. And coming from an academy that has produced the likes of Pelé, Robinho, Diego Ribas, Ganso, Neymar, Ranieri is unlikely to be disappointed with him if he indeed buys the lad and decides to play him.
Gabigol is not just a good finisher but is also capable of creating chances. With his flamboyance, dribbling skills, amazing technique, vision and all-around ability, he has everything to become one of the best in the world in near future. Vardy and Mahrez, who have faded away in Leicester’s league run so far can get a lease of new life by this inclusion.
Tipped to be the next superstar of Brazil, Barbosa has been linked with top Premier League clubs that include Manchester City and Manchester United. But, the biggest attraction for Gabigol at Leicester would be a first team place.
He is better than pretty much all Leicester City forwards and could easily break into the first team. However, a huge challenge for Leicester will be to afford him. He will not come cheap and although Leicester are lurking towards doom this season, they are very unlikely to go that extent.
