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24th Dec 2016

Sorry Liverpool fans, it doesn’t look like you’re signing Gabigol

Time to focus on other targets.

Tom Victor

Liverpool may need to invest in a couple of new signings in January, due to Philippe Coutinho’s injury and Sadio Mané’s involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations.

However, sadly for Reds fans, Brazil forward Gabriel Barbosa will not be one of the players heading to Anfield in the new year.

The 20-year-old, known as Gabigol, only joined Internazionale this year but has struggled for both games and goals.

In fact, he has made just three appearances after helping his country to Olympic gold, failing to find the net in substitute runouts against Bologna, Sassuolo and Lazio.

His lack of game time had reportedly alerted Premier League clubs to his potential availability, with some publications suggesting Liverpool as a potential destination, but Gabigol has confirmed he wants to stay put.

Empoli FC v FC Internazionale - Serie AGabigol has yet to start a competitive game for Inter (photo credit: Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

“I’ve only been here for three months, so it has taken time to adapt to the city and the team,” the forward is quoted as saying by Goal.

“I’m learning a lot and think it’s just a matter of time. No player arrived and immediately went into the starting XI.

“I am very happy at Inter. Obviously I hope to play more, but I am happy and realise it will take some patience. I train every day to improve and every day I feel more settled.”

It will come as a blow to some Reds fans, who were keen to see Gabigol pull on the red of Liverpool after his exploits at the Olympic games.

He scored twice in the crucial group stage win over Denmark, before Neymar led the host nation to a gold medal for the first time in their history.