The agent of Gabriel Barbosa has confirmed that Chelsea were among the clubs interested in signing the Brazil international before he made the permanent move to Flamengo from Inter Milan. The 23-year-old spent the 2019 season on loan with Flamengo, where he scored a staggering 43 goals from 56 games as the club won the league and continental titles.

As a result, he was always fancied to make a permanent switch to the club and he eventually did so for a bargain price of around £14m. Speaking to a Brazilian outlet, the player’s agent has now confirmed that he had drawn plenty of big club interest in January and the Blues were one of the sides, who made an approach for his services.
He told: “Gabriel was in great form, obviously, he drew the attention of many big clubs. But who really advanced were two teams in Germany and a team in England that made a proposal, which was West Ham. We had flirted with Chelsea and some other clubs. But for the project that was presented in January, Flamengo were the best project for him to take off in his career.”
The Blues are obviously looking for a new marksman this summer and they could have done with the services of Gabriel. Over the past few weeks, the club have been linked with the likes of Moussa Dembele and Timo Werner but their prospects of signing either of them appear slim. Dembele has been the subject of interest from Manchester United and the Frenchman is said to be determined to sign for the club.
Werner, on the other hand, is likewise keen on a move to Liverpool. The Germany international is reportedly prepared to remain with RB Leipzig for another season, suppose the Reds don’t make an approach due to their financial constraints because of the coronavirus pandemic.