Two big questions over Hammers-linked striker
But a new claim from the man who stood firmly by his story that Seb Haller would join the Irons suggests the striker could well become a serious target for us again.
Italian journalist Nicola Shira withstood the fiercest possible criticism from the German press when breaking the Haller for Hammers story in January.
But having been proved right, he is now saying on Twitter of Barbosa: “Gabigol said no to two rich offerings from China (Guangzhou Evergrande is Beijing Guoan) for January. ”
And he has made it clear that interested clubs like West Ham will know by the middle of next month whether they have a chance to sign the 23-year-old.
He sais: “In its future there is the permanence at Flamengo (in mid-November the meeting with the Inter to buy it) or return to Europe.”
ClaretandHugh says: Schira has developed a very good track record and despite being based in Italy clearly knew more than the German media on Haller’s situation back in the summer. Thus it can be assumed he is pretty well placed to discuss a player at Inter – currently on loan of course. However, although Pellegrini’s interest seems real, the big issue is cash with no Sky money on the way until next summer. As we reported the other day, Pelle is happy with the squad he has but like all managers would love more. However, it would clearly mean – were he to want Barbosa urgently – that players would have to be offloaded and that would disturb the squad with which he is content. Quite who could be cleared out anyway is dubious and with the boss playing one up the second big question over such a deal is whether the Inter striker would be content to arrive in a back-up role to Seb.