The upcoming Copa America tournament will be an opportunity for scouts to get a look at Santos wonderkid striker Gabriel Barbosa, aka Gabigol, firsthand while playing against the best players in North and South America. It’s an opportunity that a trio of Premier League giants can be definitely expected to take on.
According to the Metro via The Sun, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea have all been watching the Brazilian teenager very closely, but hope he can develop his game for one more year at Santos before presenting a serious offer. Per the source, Gabigol is believed to have a release clause for £40 million – a number that could break the teenage transfer record paid for Anthony Martial this past summer.
Gabigol has 51 goals in 144 total appearances for Santos since making his debut as a 16-year-old in 2013 – numbers comparable to fellow Brazilian/Santos legend Neymar. He received his first cap for Brazil in a friendly against Panama and proceeded to score his first goal in the 73rd minute.
Another Santos legend who the three Premier League powerhouses probably wish they could have signed as a teenager was a Brazilian teenager in the 1950s named Pele.
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