Gabriel Barbosa joined Flamengo initially on loan in 2019 and after impressing for them in the first season, the deal was made permanent in 2020.
The forward has managed 84 goals and 33 assists in 124 matches in all competitions for the Brazilian club, and his fine form has caught West Ham United’s attention.
On January 5th, we relayed claims made in Brazil that there is ‘uncertainty’ among the 25-year-old’s entourage over the Hammers’ next step to sign him.
It was also reported the Premier League side tried to sign the ex-Inter Milan man on an 18-month loan deal for €6m and include a buying option. However, West Ham’s offer was considered ‘absurd’ and turned down by the Rio de Janeiro club.
Gabriel‘s agent Junior Pedroso has now given an interview to Globo Esporte, in which he covered the claims about Flamengo rejecting the proposal made by David Moyes’ side.
“The other club that actually went about with a formalisation of a loan offer was West Ham. And then I didn’t even take that offer to Gabriel, I directed it to Flamengo, who turned it down,” he said.
“Flamengo doesn’t see a loan as a possibility, even paying a fortune, and we wouldn’t consider a loan at the moment either.”
Pedroso also admitted his client will need a much better project, if he were to leave the South American club.
“The European project is certainly consistent because every player of his level wants to play in a more competitive league,” the agent explained.
“When you think about a Premier League, which is what has been knocking on our door a lot, it’s almost a dream for a player of his level to be playing at this level of the league for an entire season.
“So, for sure this is a wish, it was never hidden from Flamengo that at some point it was inevitable for Gabriel to return to Europe. This is very clear, but we will not return to Europe at any cost. It has to be a very good project to convince Gabriel to come back.
“It doesn’t make sense to him [otherwise]. He’s in his environment, in one of the biggest clubs in the world and the fans are in awe of him. There’s a wonderful image built here in Brazil. For sure if he leaves, it will affect a lot. He has to go to a wonderful project, much bigger than he has today.”
