Reported West Ham target Gabriel Barbosa has ruled out a return to Inter Milan, when speaking to reporters today.
The Daily Mail claimed last month that the Hammers want to sign the 23-year-old hitman.
And West Ham insider Claret and Hugh backed up those claims today.
FC Inter News suggested earlier this week that Barbosa could be available for just €22 million (£18.6 million) in January. They also claimed that he would command wages of around £80,000 per week.
Gabigol would be an excellent signing for the Hammers, but they allegedly face stiff competition from the likes of Crystal Palace, Schalke and Flamengo for his signature.
One thing seems certain, however, and that is that he will not be returning to Inter Milan.
The Brazilian spoke to reporters today, and insisted that his future lies away from the San Siro, as quoted by Italian media outlet Calcio Mercato:
“I really believe that I will not return to Italy. Obviously. I respect Inter because I have a contract. I’m not very in touch with the company. Now let’s see what happens, after the final we’ll talk about it. At Inter I didn’t have many opportunities. It was an important period of my career because I was in a great team like Inter and it was nice anyway, I learned so much from the other players that I always carry in my heart.”
Barbosa was in superb form whilst on loan with Flamengo over the past 12 months, scoring 36 goals in 41 appearances.
He would be a truly excellent signing for West Ham. As things stand at the moment, however, it might be hard to convince him into moving to the London Stadium rather than a permanent return to his homeland.
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