Wolverhampton Wanderers are 'interested' in luring Gabriel Barbosa to Molineux but there are fears that he could end up joining one of their Premier League rivals, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.
With pre-season just around the corner, Wolves are still looking to welcome their first fresh face since the transfer window opened for business, but Barbosa is understood to be on head coach Bruno Lage's radar.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
What's the latest news involving Gabigol?
According to 90min, Wolves are set to hold talks with Flamengo as they aim to boost their frontline with the acquisition of Barbosa.
The report suggests chief scout Matthew Hobbs is travelling to Brazil in the coming days, where he will look to broker a deal for the £23.4million-rated Barbosa - who is nicknamed Gabigol - having already spoken to intermediaries.
However, the West Midlands outfit are not the only side tracking the lethal frontman as Turkish giants Fenerbahce are also showing an interest, while Aston Villa and Newcastle United are still keeping tabs on his situation after initially mulling over whether to make a move in January.
Barbosa's Flamengo contract is due to run until the end of 2024, meaning his current employers are in a strong negotiating position.
Should he move to Molineux, it would follow further European adventures on the books of Inter Milan and Benfica, where he only scored a combined two goals.
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What has Dean Jones said about Barbosa?
Jones understands that Wolves are keen to welcome Barbosa to Molineux and Lage, who is looking forward to his second season at the helm following his appointment last summer, wants to secure his services.
However, the transfer insider warns the West Midlands side's admiration could be used by the frontman's agent to stoke up more interest and potentially start a bidding war.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "Gabigol is definitely on the agenda at Wolves but I’m slightly skeptical about him going there - I get the impression this might be leverage for other teams to come in.
"But he does want to come to the Premier League, he is affordable and Wolves are interested."
Why is Barbosa of interest to Wolves?
Wolves may have finished last season in the Premier League's top 10, but only the relegated trio of Burnley, Watford and Norwich City were less prolific.
As a result, it is clear that Lage needs to improve his attacking options and Barbosa, an 18-cap Brazil international who has won an abundance of trophies, could be the answer to his problems.
That is because the Flamengo star has found the back of the net 146 times and registered a further 41 assists over the course of his club career, so it is obvious that he is capable of delivering the goods.