West Ham United were in the hunt for Brazilian striker Gabriel Barbosa over the summer.
The Hammers were first linked with the Inter Milan outcast back in January.
Prospect of Brazilian striker excited Hammers fans
The potential move excited West Ham fans but failed to materialise as West Ham’s co-owners sanctioned a paltry £35million net spend for Pellegrini.
Any hopes the move could be resurrected in January look doomed too.
That’s after Sky Sports Italy reported Barbosa was on verge of completing a £16million move to Flamengo where he has been on loan.
The 22-year-old managed just two goals in 15 appearances for Inter and Benfica but the feeling was he was never given a fair crack of the whip.
Barbosa set for permanent £16m homecoming
Barbosa netted 27 times in 53 appearances during a loan spell at former club Santos last season which attracted the attention of West Ham.
And he has since followed that up with 25 goals in 36 games for Flamengo.
His return of 12 goals in as many matches makes him the current top scorer in the Brazilian top flight.
At £16million Barbosa looks a snip.
West Ham could be filled with regret
Young, hungry, powerful and fast he has all the attributes needed to be a success in the Premier League.
With Michail Antonio ruled out in the medium to long term Pellegrini is sorely lacking said pace and power.
The low cost of the deal means it would have been a low risk transfer for West Ham.
Of course the English top flight is a step up from Serie A let alone the Brazilian league.
But Barbosa certainly would have made for an exciting alternative or even partner for new boy Haller.
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