West Ham are yet to sign a striker in the January transfer window and time is running out to bolster the ranks.
Despite links to a host of star names, the Hammers haven’t been able to add much-needed backup for Michail Antonio.
Still in the hunt for the Premier League top four, an attacking signing may prove to be the difference between qualification for Europe’s top tier or otherwise.
Discussing the search for a frontman on Sky Sports Transfer Centre, Adam Bates claimed that Flamengo star Gabriel Barbosa is still of interest but the Brazilian has particular demands.
West Ham have held talks over the signing of Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa with the Brazilian, who is nicknamed 'Gabigol', keen on a move to England.
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 3, 2022
An offer did come in. The player is happy at Flamengo but will only move back to Europe for a project that is bigger than what he has currently. Basically, sell me a vision.
Bates went on to suggest that a striker is ‘still very much what West Ham are after’ as the window enters its final week.
During the 2020/21 campaign, the 25-year-old ace scored a sensational 29 times and provided nine assists in 42 appearances.
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Valued at £23.4million and under contract in Brazil until 2024 (Transfermarkt), the mooted 18-month loan bid was always likely to fall on deaf ears.
Clearly a club on an upward trajectory under David Moyes, selling the man known as ‘Gabigol’ the vision should be no problem.
Instead, the main stumbling block could come when attempting to strike a satisfactory deal for Flamengo.
With 110 direct goal contributions in just 126 outings for Mengão, the ex-Inter Milan man is such a key part of the Brazilian club, it would likely cost in excess of £30million to bring the striker to east London.
