As we’ve been saying since Crystal Palace were first linked to Gabriel Barbosa from Santos, his situation should become more clear once the Brazilian season ends in December.
With still some important games to be played, the striker doesn’t want to talk about his future, and has become bored at being asked about this in every interview.
“Hard to tell, things have changed, but the effort made was for the love for Santos. For my desire to return after a year without playing, trusting in my potential, in my teammates to help me find good football,” he said in a press conference this week (via UOL). “But being honest: the possibility is very small.”
Gabigol is loaned to Santos by Inter Milan until the end of the year. Now although most of the reports said that the Italian side would like to negotiate him in January, a new report says otherwise.
UOL says that Inter were impressed with Gabigol’s performance at Santos, where he’s got 25 goals this season. That’s why they don’t want to loan him out again, and plan to test him after January.
In case they do negotiate the player, then it’s for a permanent transfer. UOL says that Inter will demand at least €30m to let him go.
As Gabigol has reportedly promised Santos he won’t be playing for a Brazilian rival, then apparently Crystal Palace wouldn’t have that much competition to get him.
The London side were first linked to Gabigol last month. A claim from UOL said his agent Kia Joorabchian had been trying to move him to the Premier League, and Crystal Palace were the club who made an approach. Weeks later, newspaper Tuttosport had a story about him, and once again, the Selhurst Park side were the only club mentioned.
That’s why we even wrote about the situation saying Palace should indeed give the player a try, although the possibility we suggested, which was a loan, seems to be ruled out now.
