West Ham striker targets dropping like flies as journalist who broke Haller makes new Gabriel Barbosa claim

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West Ham United have been linked with a move for Gabriel Barbosa all year but there has been a new twist.

According to an exclusive report from 90Min, West Ham sent scouts to watch Barbosa play for Flamengo against Liverpool in the FIFA Club World Cup final on Saturday.

The Hammers are desperately short in the attacking department after shipping out all five of last season’s strikers in the summer and replacing them with one proven forward, Sebastien Haller.

Talk of West Ham moving for Inter Milan-owned outcast Barbosa has intensified in recent weeks.

Hammers have been chasing Barbosa

The Daily Mail claimed last month that the east London club want to sign the Brazilian, who scored a phenomenal 43 goals in 59 games for Flamengo this year.

Claret & Hugh, which claims to have a top level source inside West Ham – believed to be co-owner David Sullivan – confirmed the club’s interest in Barbosa is very real.

But West Ham could miss out.

That’s if a new claim from Italian journalist Nicolo Schira is to be believed.

Journalist who broke Haller makes new Gabigol claim

Schira broke the news of Haller’s £45million move to West Ham in the summer. And he says Gabigol could be set to sign permanently for Flamengo this week after agreeing terms.

“Flamengo wants to close the purchase of Gabigol, expected next week with the new contact Inter to find definitive agreement,” Schira said on Twitter.

“The Brazilian club offered the attacker a contract until 2024 of 5 million euros per year.”

West Ham need to act fast

So if West Ham do intend to show some ambition and sign Barbosa they need to act fast.

Manuel Pellegrini’s options appear to be dwindling.

Another target frozen out in Italy, Mario Mandzukic, has sealed a move to Qatar.

And the likes of Tottenham are reportedly fighting the Hammers for Hull City forward Jarrod Bowen (The Sun).