When Gabriel Barbosa moved to Inter from Santos in a €30 million deal last summer, it was considered an inspired piece of business by the Nerazzurri, with the Serie A giants beating the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona to the Brazilian starlet's signature.
However, after a debut season that consisted of a solitary goal and only 10 appearances (he was left out of Inter's Europa League squad for Financial Fair Play reasons), the boy known as Gabigol has seen his stock drop somewhat, with his future at the San Siro now looking rather unclear.
Despite a surprisingly underwhelming first season in Milan, the former Santos prodigy doesn't have any shortage of suitors, who are all monitoring his situation should Inter decide they want to cash in on the 20-year-old's potential.
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And seven of Gabigol's suitors come from the Premier League.
Much of Gabigol's time at Inter so far has been spent on the sidelines, with the Brazilian prodigy not being named in a single Serie A starting line up, last season. Image: PA
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Bleacher Report are reporting that Tottenham, Liverpool, Everton, Southampton, Leicester City, Stoke City and Swansea City are all vying for the Brazil international's signature, with many believing that his struggles during the 2016/17 campaign were due to him choosing the wrong team in Inter, rather than anything to do with his ability.
Gabigol hit 56 goals in 154 games for Santos, making his debut for the Peixe as a 16-year-old during a 0-0 draw with Flamengo in May, 2013. The Inter forward has represented Brazil at U15, U17, U20, U23 and full international level, scoring twice in his four caps for his country.
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The only obstacle in the way of a potential move to England would be the fact that Gabigol currently doesn't meet UK work permit regulations, meaning the only chance a Premier League club would have of signing him with clearance to play in the UK would be successfully appealing the initial rejection of a permit which, given the fact the former Santos striker could well be considered an exceptional talent who has already performed at full international level, would likely be a strong possibility to happen.
Given the immense talent Gabigol displayed during his formative years in Brazil, it would be a crying shame to see his potential remain unrealised on the bench at Inter.
(H/T Bleacher Report)
Topics: Internazionale, Football