Gabriel Barbosa to Leicester: Foxes set to beat Arsenal to Brazil international after launching mega £23million bid
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LEICESTER have made club-record offer for Brazil striker Gabriel Barbosa.
The Santos star - known as ‘Gabigol’ - is also being targeted by Arsenal this summer.
But, according to the , Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri has launched a £23million move to beat the Gunners to a deal.
Barbosa is currently taking part in the Olympics with Brazil and also has interest from Inter Milan, Juventus and Barcelona.
It was also reported that Italian side Fiorentina made a £25m bid for the strike sensation last week.
Arsenal are keen on Barbosa after missing out in a £20m move for Foxes striker Jamie Vardy in June.
Now the 19-year-old could join the England international at the King Power as part of an impressive frontline – along with current record buy Ahmed Musa, Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa.
Barbosa last month admitted that he had offers from Europe – but hinted he was waiting for the right opportunity.
He said: “Yes, I have offers from some of the big clubs in Europe that interest me, but that is for my parents and my employers but I am happy at Santos.
“That will sort itself out in time.
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“Santos is my home, but we will make a calm decision.”
Barbosa has scored 24 goals in 82 games for Santos since making his debut aged 16 in 2013.
But he has failed to fire as host Brazil have struggled to two goalless draws against South Africa and Iraq at Rio 2016.
Leicester are also close to landing Deportivo La Coruna star Lucas Perez – dubbed the ‘Spanish Vardy’ –as they brace themselves for late offers for Riyad Mahrez.