It was feared that work permit obstacles would prevent West Ham from finalising a deal for Gabigol, and that is exactly what has happened.
Fabrizio Romano of Sky Sports tweeted Tuesday that the forward was to head out on loan to Flamengo in Brazil, leaving parent club Internazionale.
The 22-year-old had been loaned back to his home country last season as well, becoming a seriously prolific front-man for Santos.
Scoring 18 goals in 35 matches, West Ham perhaps understandably took an interest in the goal threat.
There were incredibly strong links between the player and the Irons, and the East London faithful began to dream of the Sao Paulo-native running riot at the London Stadium, but those hopes will have to be retired for the immediate future.
Attention will now turn to whether West Ham look elsewhere for a new man to sit in the front three, especially given the recent confirmation of Samir Nasri’s signing.
