Why West Ham should have signed Gabriel Barbosa in January
According to Sky Italia (h/t The Daily Mail), West Ham were interested in signing Gabriel Barbosa from Inter Milan. However, no deal materialised during the January transfer window.
Gabriel Barbosa, 23, had joined Flamengo on a season-long from Inter Milan in January 2019. He enjoyed an excellent season with Flamengo, scoring 43 goals in 59 appearances across all competitions. The Brazilian forward helped Flamengo win Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, Campeonato Carioca, Copa Libertadores and Supercopa do Brasil.
A fantastic season with Flamengo saw the Brazilian club turn Gabriel’s loan move from Inter Milan permanent last month.
Meanwhile, West Ham are reeling in the relegation zone, having lost four out of their last five games. They lost 3-2 to Liverpool at Anfield on Monday despite taking a surprise 2-1 lead after the break. Things are looking bleak with every passing week for the Hammers and David Moyes needs to start getting positive results if his team are to avoid relegation.
West Ham have royally struggled to score goals this season, netting only 32 in 27 games. Club-record signing Sebastien Haller has failed to live up to the expectations of the London Stadium faithful, scoring only six times in 25 league games. Apart from Haller, the likes of Albian Ajeti, Michail Antonio and Felipe Anderson have contributed to only seven goals.
To solve the club’s goalscoring woes, Moyes did manage to bring in Jarrod Bowen from Hull City last month. Bowen, who scored 54 goals in 131 appearances in all competitions for the Tigers, is yet to make a mark for the Hammers as Moyes’ side continue to struggle in the drop zone.
West Ham should have signed a prolific goalscorer in January to support Haller up front. Thus, they have missed a trick by not signing Gabriel Barbosa.
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Gabriel has managed to reignite his career in Brazil after a disastrous spell with Inter Milan. The 23-year-old old first impressed on loan at Santos from Inter, scoring 27 goals in 53 appearances before lighting up the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A 2019 with Flamengo.
Verdict
Having scored consistently in the Brazilian top-flight over the last two seasons, Gabriel might have helped West Ham in the attack.
The former Inter Milan man could have really made a name for himself had he arrived and showed the form he has done in Brazil so far. Thus Moyes and co. have committed a blunder by not signing Gabriel Barbosa.
