Flamengo have began negotiations with Inter over a transfer involving Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa according to a report from Gazzetta dello Sport.
The Brazilian club have reportedly offered 22 million euros for him, The operation could also include their 18 year old breakout talent, Lincoln, as well as a potential separate operation involving Inter defender Miranda in the Summer.
The acceleration of this operation is due to the recent appointment of Rodlofo Landim, as club President, on a three year contract. The entrepreneur takes over from Eduardo Bandeira de Mello, who had held the position for the last two years. Rodolfo also has the support of ambitious investors, who are aiming to take the next step with the club. The purchase of Gabigol and Miranda would surely be a step in that direction.
However, the investors will need to match the interests of the Nerazzurri if they want the deal to happen. For Gabigol, the sale of the attacker would need to be substantial enough to offset what the club paid for him in 2016 from Santos, as the club prepare for the conclusion of their settlement agreement under UEFA’s financial fair play.
As for Miranda, Spalletti would most likely not be willing to deprive himself of a defender who still regularly contributes to the team, without a guaranteed replacement of equal quality, which will be very hard to source in January.
Therefore, the plan of Marotta and Ausilio is to allow Gabigol to leave in January for a suitable offer, but postpone Miranda’s sale until the Summer, as well as allowing Flamengo to keep Lincoln a bit longer, in light of Paqueta’s recent sale to Milan.
