Catalan giants want superb teenage attacker…
Barcelona are keeping tabs on Santos prodigy Gabriel Barbosa, known in Brazil as ‘Gabigol’, with the teenager performing increasingly exceptionally, reports Spanish publication Sport.
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Gabigol only turned 18 at the end of August, but is already known worldwide, and has been likened to both Robinho and Neymar, both of whom came through the Santos academy – and possess similarly superb dribbling skills and a diminutive frame.
Already, Gabigol has scored 18 goals in 50 Santos appearances. In fact, with five strikes this term, he;s the top scorer in the Brasileirao so far, underlying his phenomenal talent.
Barcelona installed a first-option clause on Gabigol when they signed Neymar, but the player has an enormous €50m release clause.
His agent, Wagner Ribeiro explained to SPORT that he reckons his client would benefit from staying in Brazil for at least two more years.
“Our intention is to sign a contract for 3 or 4 years as Gabigol is very young,” he said.
“The career plan we see for him means he stays with Santos until at least the Rio 2016 Olympic games, then we will decide, but he will end up in a team that plays in the Champions League.”