Flamengo head coach Jorge Jesus again confirmed today that he tried to sign Inter outcast Gabriel Barbosa while at Sporting Lisbon.

Gabigol is on loan with the Brazilian club until 31 December and is now getting the chance to work with Jesus, scoring nine goals in his first 10 league games this season.

Jesus first made his revelation when being presented to the media with Flamengo last month, explaining how Barbosa had consulted Joao Mario about joining Sporting.

“I spoke with Barbosa to convince him to come and work with me,” he told A Bola, when asked to revisit the matter on Monday.

“In the end he went to Benfica and it went badly. He never played, whereas at Sporting he would have played all the time.”

Barbosa made just five appearances in a disastrous loan spell at Benfica, scoring once in a cup match against Olhanense.

He has since resurrected his career since returning to his native Brazil, but Inter still do not seem to have any offers for the 22-year-old.