Serie A 2016/17: Inter Milan sign Brazil sensation Gabriel Barbosa
Inter Milan have wrapped up the signing of highly-rated Brazilian striker Gabriel Barbosa from Santos.
It was widely believed that Manchester United were in the front seat to sign Gabigol, as he is fondly called, but Inter have pipped them to sign him.
The player who turned 20 only yesterday has moved to the Serie A club on a 5 year deal for a fee believed to be in the region of €27.5 million. Coming on the back of a gold medal with Brazil at the recently concluded Olympics, the attacker will be keen to impress the footballing fraternity across Europe with his skills.
Gabriel, who has been called “the next Neymar” due to his playing style similar to Neymar, began his youth career at Santos in 2004, when he joined the club’s youth academy at the age of 8.
He made his competitive debut at the age of 16 and has gone from strength to strength to establish himself as one of the top youngsters across the globe.
Playing style
The attacker, who has been trained as an out and out striker can also feature in a supporting role from the wings. A powerful player who is more in the mould of the maverick Uruguayan Luis Suarez, the new Inter Milan striker caused mayhem in the opposition box in the previous season with his tenacity, acceleration as well as his impressive goal scoring ability.
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He possesses a low centre of gravity and is a hard man to dispossess.
Additionally, he also helps out in the defensive side of the game with tackles and interceptions in the middle of the park, adding to the value that he brings to the side.
Signed to reinvigorate Inter Milan
Inter Milan have endured a tough time in recent years as the side have failed to live up to their rich history of winning silverware. Inter have finished in the top 4 in the Italian league on only one occasion in the previous 5 years and have some high profile transfers in the ongoing transfer window to bring them back where they belong.
An issue that has plagued the side is its inability to find goals consistently, with Mauro Icardi being the only player to have broken into double digits in the league over the last 2 seasons.
The arrival of the free-scoring Gabriel is expected to ease the burden on the shoulders of the young Argentine. However, it remains to be seen if the player can replicate his fine form in a new continent, against big burly defenders.
While many deem his goal scoring abilities as the mark of his potential, many believe it is his calmness and maturity beyond his years which will make him one of the best strikers in a few years.
With two League titles, one Olympic medal and 56 goals in 153 games at the age of 20, the Brazilian is definitely amongst the top youngsters in the world and should he continue to keep his head on his shoulders and work on improving his game, he could go to great heights.