Transfer rumor: Chelsea FC aim at Brazilian prodigy Gabigol

Chelsea and Juventus take another turn in the transfer rumour mill together, this time in a pas de deux for 19-year old Brazil phenom Gabigol.

Chelsea FC’s latest transfer target may be Gabriel Barbosa Almeida, better known as “Gabigol,” from Brazil’s Santos club. Already touted as “the next Neymar,” – despite the actual Neymar being barely five years his senior – Gabigol has emerged as one of the most expensive prospects for Europe’s biggest clubs.

Gabigol’s conflicting statements and some chicanery by his business representative nearly scuttled the deal before negotiations could get started. Gabigol is under contract to Santos until 2019. Last week, word leaked that he was already negotiating an extension through 2021.

On Tuesday, Gabigol denied this statement, opening the door to speculation that he was entertaining offers from Chelsea, Juventus or a Chinese Super League side.

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Chelsea supposedly made a £25 million offer for Gabigol through his representative, Juan Figer. Figer allegedly withheld this offer from his client while he – Figer – settled with Santos for his cut of the transfer fee. Santos refused to make this bargain, and Figer walked away.

Gabigol learned of Chelsea’s offer, and is interested in the prospect of moving to a major European club.

Juventus is betting on Chelsea taking their usual glacial pace in the transfer market. In the absence of a formal offer from the Blues, Juventus is preparing a £20 million transfer fee followed by a £2.5 million per year contract offer.

Chelsea and Juventus are not the first European clubs to entice Gabigol. Unsurprisingly, some rumors have the “new Neymar” joining actual Neymar at FC Barcelona. Last month, Arsenal took a brief foray into the Gabigol chase as they pursued alternatives after their failed approach to Jamie Vardy.

The recent confusion and clarification around Juan Figer’s subterfuge sparked a deluge of rumors as both Gabigol and Santos alluded that, upon deep consideration, they would consider accepting one of the most lucrative transfer fees of the year. In addition to Chelsea and Juventus, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich also pop up in the Gabigol “will he or won’t he” news feed.

Gabigol’s fast feet, near-instantaneous cutbacks and shooting power while moving laterally across the top of the box resemble Eden Hazard or Gareth Bale with just a bit more pace. His diagonal runs from the top of the box to the side of the box, then back to a center shooting position, should be familiar to Chelsea fans.

"Gabriel is a physically stronger, two-footed forward player possessing the quality of an intelligent number 9 making clever runs through the defense and someone who uses his great speed to penetrate into the box and finish off a move… Unlike other overhyped Brazilian talents who fail even before they make it to the top level, Gabigol seems to take the hype in his stride and has shown that he can handle senior football as well. – Outside of the Boot"

As with all high-skilled, high-paced and young players, the biggest question mark surrounding a transfer to any English team is his ability to withstand the physicality of the Premier League. His style of play lends itself to taking on defenders willing to give him space, and defensive formations that permit plenty of room to maneuver.

Gabigol could quickly find himself stymied by a team like Stoke, who would leave the young Brazilian dispossessed and on the pitch wondering where that brick wall came from.

Gabigol’s highly individualized style of play would also have little place in Antonio Conte’s lineups. Gabigol is accustomed to being a one-man show, both as a tactician and as an entertainer. While goal-scoring comes naturally to him, he has yet to show (nor has he had reason to develop) acumen at passing, covering back on defense and understanding his place in a fluid formation.

Gabigol is a player that makes for a delicious week of rumors and plenty of highlight reel footage for his team. He would likely have little to contribute to an Antonio Conte team, let alone one that already has Diego Costa and Michy Batshuayi.

Next: Rumour: Chelsea agrees to £35 million deal for N'Golo Kante

If Chelsea fans ever see Gabigol on the pitch at Stamford Bridge, it will be next year in a Champions League match against Barcelona, Real Madrid or any other team that would be a better fit for the next Neymar.