Striker Gabriel Barbosa has told West Ham what he needs to hear before he considers a move to east London claims Sky Sports reporter.
It is no secret David Moyes wants to bring a new striker to West Ham this month.
And the Scot has a week left before the window slams shut.
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Widespread reports have persisted all month claiming West Ham have reignited interest in signing Flamengo striker Barbosa before the deadline.
The Hammers have been relying solely on Michail Antonio for the last year since selling Sebastien Haller to Ajax.
Antonio has – on the whole – been superb. But it is clear to see he is flagging and struggling for any kind of form or consistency since as far back as October.
90 Min claimed Moyes is seriously considering a bid for Barbosa – nicknamed Gabigol – having first been linked with him two years ago when the 25-year-old was leaving Inter Milan for a return to Brazil.
Sky Sports have also run several reports claiming West Ham are interested including a profile piece on what Hammers fans can expect if Moyes does sign Barbosa.
Earlier this month Sky Sports went even further by claiming Barbosa was set to speak to Flamengo bosses in order to force through a move to West Ham.
Many West Ham fans are sceptical about the links to Barbosa given the Hammers were linked with the Brazilian before Moyes returned to the club two years ago.
But on Monday, Sky Sports reporter Anton Toloui claimed on Good Morning Transfers that Barbosa has told West Ham what he needs to hear before he considers a move.
“You can see maybe that need (for a new striker at West Ham) is increasing,” Toloui said on Sky Sports.
“But look Gabriel Barbosa is the man they’ve targeted, former Brazilian wunderkind who went to Inter (Milan) early in his career, it didn’t quite work, went back to South America with Flamengo, won the Copa Libertadores and his stock is high again now.
“West Ham came in with a loan deal at the beginning of January – an 18-month loan with a view to a permanent move.
“Interestingly his agent has come out over the weekend, Junior Pedroso, he told Globo in Brazil ‘a bid did come in, the player is happy at Flamengo but he will only move back to Europe for a project that is bigger than the one he has currently at Flamengo’.
“So basically “sell me a vision, I won’t just sign for any other club” is the message coming out of Brazil from Gabriel Barbosa.”