Exciting striker target Gabriel Barbosa suggests he is ready to talk to West Ham over January transfer

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West Ham United will be hugely encouraged after new comments from exciting striker target Gabriel Barbosa.

The Brazilian is owned by Inter Milan but has spent the last year on loan at Santos.

West Ham have been linked with a £18 million move for the star who is nicknamed Gabigol (Daily Mail).

Everton and Crystal Palace have also been credited with an interest.

Boost for Pellegrini over striker target

Hammers boss Manuel Pellegrini needs to bolster his options in January as he nurses a Premier League-worst injury list.

There is an over-reliance on Marko Arnautovic while Javier Hernandez and Andy Carroll face uncertain futures.

West Ham were boosted recently when it emerged Inter would be forced to sell a string of fringe players to raise £45 million and avoid UEFA Financial Fair Play sanctions.

And now Barbosa himself has suggested he is ready to talk to interested clubs over a January move to the Premier League.

‘I need to talk to Inter, to other clubs, then we’ll see’

“I still don’t know what will happen with my future,” Gabigol told Football Italia after being inducted into the Brazilian Serie A team of the season.

“I’ll return to Inter in January, I need to talk to Inter, to other clubs, and then we’ll see what happens.

“Right now I need to rest for a bit, my agents will think about it.

Frightening front three

“I’m calm, I’ve shown what I can do so I’m very confident (of sealing a move to a new club).”

If West Ham manage to pull off the signing of Barbosa it would be quite a coup.

The 22-year-old scored 22 goals in 38 games for Santos during his season-long loan.

A front three of Felipe Anderson, Arnautovic and Barbosa would be quite some prospect.