According to reports from Mirror, Chelsea FC are hoping to likely to win the race to sign the highly-rated Brazilian forward Gabriel Barbosa, after tabling an offer of £25m. According to same report, the player is also on Arsenal and Juventus’s radar.
Babosa, also known as Gabigol, has become one of the hottest rising youngsters in Brazilian football since breaking into the Santos first team in 2013 and he has been compared to Barcelona superstar Neymar Jr.
The Brazilian’s potential has caught the eye of Arsenal scouts and it appeared as though he was heading to the Emirates stadium as the Express claimed just over two weeks ago that the forward had agreed a deal to join a ‘top English side’ – tipped to be the Gunners.
However, talks about his move to Arsenal have quietened down in recent days and, while the Turin giants have reportedly expressed their interest in signing Gabigal, it looks like Chelsea are now in pole position to secure his signature.
Reports yesterday from the Mirror claim Chelsea have a £25m bid on the table for the Santos star and he has supposedly shown his interest in moving to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Chelsea’s new manager Antonio Conte finally began work as the new Blues boss yesterday, but the Italian coach’s employers have been working hard on negotiating to bring in his transfer targets and they still hope to get their bid accepted for the Santos superstar.
The Blues new signing Michy Batshuayi has already arrived at Stamford Bridge from Marseille.
However, it seems the Italian international coach is keen in strengthening his attacking options as he plans ahead. Two strikers are top on his priority list for next season as his most preferred formation is believe to be the 3-5-2 formation for the coming campaign with the South American seemingly firmly on his radar.
The highly-talented South American is said to be capable of playing out wide or through the middle as a centre-forward so he would give the boss plenty of choices in the final third if the Brazilian does end up completing a move to West London.
The Blues will have to wait and see what comes out of the proposed deal, but there is still time for the likes of Arsenal or Juventus to step-up their interest in Gabigol again.
However, the Blues remain favourites and Gabigol would be an exciting addition for Chelsea, although I’m sure Conte would ideally want him on board for when they fly out to the United States for the pre-season tour later this month.