Barbosa ‘ticks all the boxes’ for West Ham after Sky update – pundit
Alex McLeish has claimed a swoop for Gabriel Barbosa would “tick all the boxes” for West Ham.
The former Scotland and Birmingham boss, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, insisted the 25-year-old will bring “swagger and confidence” to the London Stadium.
As reported by Sky Sports (4 January), West Ham have held talks over the signing of Flamengo hitman Barbosa – nicknamed ‘Gabigol’ due to his prolific nature.
Sky claim Barbosa has netted 104 goals in 147 games for Flamengo since joining the club in 2019.
McLeish insisted the Brazil international’s record will be enticing as West Ham search for added firepower to supplement their Champions League push.
“West Ham have had quite a passion for bringing in South American players over the years,” he told Football Insider‘s Russell Edge.
“I wouldn’t have thought that passion has stopped. They’ll want to bring a Brazil international like him in, especially with his record and his technique.
“Barbosa ticks all the boxes for them. We know the Premier League can be hard for players to come over from overseas and hit the ground running.
“But the Brazilians come over with a swagger and a confidence that some Europeans can lack. He certainly won’t be holding back.”
Sky report the former Inter Milan striker is “keen” on a move to the Premier League.
Barbosa has been capped 17 times by Brazil and won Olympic gold with his country at Rio de Janeiro’s 2016 Summer Games.
West Ham lie one point outside of the Champions League places after 20 games.
In other news, medical expert reveals West Ham star out for “six weeks” – and it could “easily” be far longer.