According to TMW, Sporting Lisbon are hours away from completing a season-long loan deal for out-of-favour Inter Milan striker Gabriel Barbosa.
This effectively rules Everton out of making a move on the Brazilian international, having been linked with being interested in the 20-year-old weeks ago.
Considering that manager Ronald Koeman is still in need of one more striker, not taking a gamble on Gabigol could see him miss out on a trick.
Liverpool, Tottenham and West Ham were also reportedly keen on the Brazilian wonderkid who is hoping for another chance to prove himself in Europe having flopped at Serie A last term.
The Santos youth product scored over 600 goals for the club’s youth teams, while 24 goals and 12 assists in 83 first team appearances testify to how prolific Gabigol is capable of being.
Chances are that he would have been a great temporary addition for the Toffees had they actively gone in his pursuit.
With less than 2 weeks before the window shuts, it doesn’t appear there are much quality strikers left on the market, and all eyes are firmly on Everton as to which forward they would eventually land.
