Speaking on the Talking Transfers podcast, journalist Graeme Bailey has revealed that Wolves are holding discussions with Flamengo about striker Gabriel Barbosa.
Chief scout Matthew Hobbs appears to be hard at work readying a team capable of improving on the Old Gold’s 10th place finish last term as manager Bruno Lage looks to immerse the club among the European places once again in his second season at the helm.
Now 31, Raul Jimenez is the club’s talisman and contributed to ten goals in the Premier League last term but with only young upstart Fabio Silva as back-up it appears that the Molineux outfit are intent on adding more goals to their squad and have travelled across the Atlantic Ocean to take a look at one particular name.
90 min revealed that Wanderers are sending scouts to watch Brazilian striker Barbosa in action and Bailey has now claimed that they have already initiated contact with his employers.
(45:48)”As well as Fernandez we do understand that Wolves were talking to Flamengo about Gabriel Barbosa. Wolves like him they’ve had talks but don’t be surprised to see a few more teams. There’s a bit more to come from Gabigol this summer.”
TIF Thoughts on Barbosa and Wolves…
Often referred to as Gabigol Inter Milan took the plunge to sign Barbosa in 2016 and gave him a Ronaldo Nazario like unveiling but after an underwhelming period with just one goal in ten appearances and loan spells outside of the club, four years later he sealed a permanent switch back to his homeland in January 2020.
He moved to Flamengo having fired the club to Brazilian Serie A and Copa Libertadores success with 34 goals and 11 assists in 41 appearances the season previous while on loan.
He recently reached a century of goals for the club and 128 goal contributions in just 153 outings and still at just 25 he may wish to prove himself once again in Europe and Wolves could strike gold if they decide to pursue a deal for a player who Brazil and Flamengo icon Zico said ‘has everything’ to become the greatest striker in the club’s history (O Dia (via TNT Sports). with his current club likely to demand at least £30m for his signature.