Rodolfo Landim, the president of Flamengo, has confirmed it is their intention to sign Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa on a permanent basis from Inter.

“For the moment there is no news, but we are negotiating with Inter. Negotiations are at a preliminary stage. Do we want to buy him outright? Yes, of course. He is doing very well for us,” he remarked in an interview with CalcioMercato.it.

“We have been in constant contact for a few weeks, I don’t know if at the moment there is a definite appointment to close, but we are talking about it.”

He was then asked why he thinks the 23-year-old struggled at Inter.

“I believe there are many reasons. It is not easy to adapt to a new country, to a language you do not know, to different customs but here he is very happy.”

He concluded: “Would his best choice be to remain with Flamengo? Well I really think so. I see him happy wearing our shirt. With us he has performed with extraordinary consistency.”