Liverpool may replace Sadio Mané with a £23 million transfer of a goal machine who adores Roberto Firmino
When Sadio Mané leaves, Liverpool will most likely be looking for a new forward, and one option could be a Brazilian who wants to play at Anfield.
Liverpool's search for a replacement for Sadio Mané will take them far and wide.
After six years at the club, it appears that the Senegal international will leave this summer. He is thought to want a new challenge away from Anfield, and speculation about a move to Bayern Munich is heating up.
Since the Champions League final, there have been a slew of names linked to Liverpool, including Robert Lewandowski, Harry Kane, Christopher Nkunku, and a few others all being discussed in the context of a possible relocation to Liverpool Once Mané's departure is confirmed, such rumors will only intensify.
Gabriel Barbosa, better known as Gabigol, is a new name, or perhaps an old name that has been off the radar for a long time but could prove to be an option.
The Brazilian, who is worth £23 million according to Transfermarkt, has been linked with a return to Europe and a move to West Ham in recent months (the timeline of reports can be found in our latest Media Digest), but Liverpool could beat them to it. Gabigol admitted in 2019 that he was tempted to play for the club one day.
"Firmino is fantastic; I really admire him," the striker said before The FIFA World Club Cup final. "He's had a lot of success in Europe for a long time." He is a strong forward who has performed admirably for Brazil. I look up to him as an inspiration. It would be great fun to play with him. Perhaps we could play for Brazil together in the future, and Liverpool is a team that everyone wants to play for."
Gabigol's Flamengo team lost to Liverpool in the final, despite the player having little impact on the game. Gabigol, on the other hand, has been an undisputed success for Flamengo since joining in 2019.
Barbosa joined Inter Milan in the summer of 2016, heralding a new exciting era for the Italian club, with Chinese conglomerate Suning taking over with cash ready to spend.
Gabigol was signed for around £30 million, but the Brazilian was a flop at Inter, scoring only once and looking completely out of his depth in Italy. After an unsuccessful spell with Benfica failed to kick-start his European career, he returned to the Brazilian Serie A.
He regained his scoring touch at Santos, but they refused to pay the transfer fee demanded by Inter, so he signed for Flamengo, where he continued to score. Gabigol has 100 goals in 151 games for the club in all competitions for Flamengo, But it always seemed as if it was only a matter of time before he returned to Europe.
Could Gabigol be a viable alternative for Liverpool?
Gabigol's ability to thrive in Europe remains to be seen. His previous two stints in Italy and Portugal were disastrous, and the transition from the Brazilian Serie A to the Premier League is a massive one. Gabigol, on the other hand, has reached the age when he should consider returning to Europe. At 25, he is approaching his prime, and a return must be on the cards.
A move to Liverpool, like his move to Inter, could be too much for him. Perhaps a move to West Ham would be the ideal landing spot for him, enabling him to adjust to European football If he can maintain his form from Brazil, a move to a bigger club could be an option in the future.
On a tactical level, it remains to be seen whether Gabigol can thrive in Jürgen Klopp's system, with the striker so far failing to demonstrate the fluidity to interchange positions that Klopp expects of his forwards. Despite admitting admiration for Firmino, he does not share his almost unique profile.
All of that could change if he has a successful spell at a stepping stone club like West Ham. Gabigol, however, should not be considered for Liverpool in the immediate future — and certainly should not be entrusted with the colossal task of replacing Sadio Mané.
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