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Southampton ambitiously linked with Inter Milan’s Gabriel Barbosa

By Chris Hughes

MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 17: Gabriel Barbosa of FC Internazionale looks on during the TIM Cup match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 17, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
MILAN, ITALY - JANUARY 17: Gabriel Barbosa of FC Internazionale looks on during the TIM Cup match between FC Internazionale and Bologna FC at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on January 17, 2017 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images) /
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According to Bleacher Report, the Saints are one of many Premier League teams interested in the young striker.

Less than a day after being linked with the Brazillian Napoli midfielder Allan, Southampton have found themselves linked with another Brazillian who plies in trade in Italy – Gabriel Barbosa.

Known by many by his nickname ‘Gabigol‘ the young striker has a solid reputation since the age of 16, and is known by the many players of the popular game as a ‘Football Manager legend’.

However the forward has struggled to land on his feet in Europe, with the form of Mauro Icardi limiting Gabriel to just ten appearances in all competitions.

Despite making a near £25-million investment in the 20-year-old Inter could now reportedly part ways with the Brazilian, with Bleacher reporting that as many as seven Premier League clubs are interested in signing him.

Among those are the Saints, who are looking to add pace to their attacking line before the start of the new season. They are joined by Liverpool, Everton, Tottenham, Stoke, Leicester and Swansea.

Next: Have Southampton really been slow this summer window?

EMPOLI, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Gabriel Barbosa Almeida of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 21, 2016 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
EMPOLI, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 21: Gabriel Barbosa Almeida of FC Internazionale during the Serie A match between Empoli FC and FC Internazionale at Stadio Carlo Castellani on September 21, 2016 in Empoli, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) /

What the report doesn’t include is whether the Saints would be looking to be buy the forward outright or whether it would be a loan deal.

The club have rarely made loan deals in recent years, with Mouez Hassen’s January move the only of note last season – he didn’t make a senior appearance for the Saints.

If the deal was permanent then it would be wise to suggest that Inter would look to make most of their money back from last summer, meaning any deal would need to be a record investment by Les Reed and co. to secure his services.

The report also doesn’t state what clubs from around Europe are interested in the 20-year-old, as there are sure to be suitors from all the other major leagues across the continent.

Therefore, Gabigol may be a little too far out of the Saints’ reach this time around. However the fact that the club have been credited with an interest in what remains one of Europe’s top young forwards remains a positive.

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