Newcastle United could reopen talks with Flamengo striker Gabriel Barbosa as they look to bolster their attacking options this summer. Chronicle Live broke the news that 'Gabigol's' representatives are keen on a move to the Magpies with the Brazilian intent on playing European football once more.
The Magpies talks with Hugo Ekitike have reportedly broken down over agents demands and Eddie Howe's recruitment team are looking at possible alternatives. Barbosa has an incredible goals to game ratio since returning to his home country.
There'll understandably be reservations over his spells with Inter and Benfica in his youth, but if he's able to settle in on Tyneside, the Magpies could have one of the most prolific strikers in world football in their side. There's plenty of work to be done before that happens, with no official bid for Barbosa as things stand.
READ MORE: Gabriel Barbosa's European 'frustration' amid Newcastle United hopes
However, Newcastle do need to add to their forward line if they're serious about European football in the not too distant future. Callum Wilson, Chris Wood and Dwight Gayle are the three strikers currently at the club, whilst Allan Saint-Maximin has also played up front.
Wilson's career has been plagued with injuries, but his prowess in front of goal is second to none. Barbosa would provide serious competition for the England World Cup hopeful, and could in theory give Newcastle a different dynamic in attack.
Howe has tinkered with his formation during his time at St. James' Park, but has rarely played with two up front. Former Flamengo boss Paulo Sousa had the desire to play Barbosa alongside fellow forward Pedro.
He said: "I will remind you of some of the words I said before I arrived in Rio about my idea of dynamics so that I can use Pedro and Gabi together. Give me the confidence that I can do it.”
We're yet to see Wilson play alongside a strike partner at Newcastle, but at some point the Magpies will need to utilise all the weapons in their arsenal to win games. For Barbosa, a move to Tyneside would make sense to try and reignite his hopes of playing for Brazil at the World Cup in Qatar later this year.
Brazil head coach Tite dropped Barbosa from his recent Brazil squad, responding with a 'no comment' when pressed by reporters over his exclusion. Reports in Brazil suggest this was due to Barbosa's inability to change his style of play for the national team, but Sousa claims 'Gabigol' is more than capable.
He said: “Gabi, as I said in the last press conference, showed an ability to understand the game and also an interesting tactical display for my teammate Tite so that he could analyse and have fun. The commitment of the two is fundamental to the process of having both strikers on the field more consistent."
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