Inter flop Gabigol wants Premier League move

On-loan forward Gabigol is hoping to secure a move to the Premier League next season after a successful return to his native Brazil.

The 22-year-old Santos man made a much anticipated move to Europe from the Campeonato Paulista club in the summer of 2016 when he joined Inter.

However, he subsequently struggled at the Serie A side, failing to secure a start in the league and netting just once in nine appearances.

A brief move to Benfica followed the next season, but saw him make a limited impact and was followed with a move back to Santos on a one-year loan from the Italian giants.

Back in Brazil, Gabigol has recaptured the form which made him a target of European sides, netting 16 goals in league and four more in the Copa do Brasil.

But with his loan nearing an end, Gabigol does not to remain in his home country, nor return to Italy, where playing time at Inter seems an impossibility.

Though the forward has a contract with Luciano Spalletti's side until 2021, the club have registered the maximum number of foreign players already. In addition, the presence of Mauro Icardi, Lautaro Martínez, Ivan Perisic, Keita Balde and Matteo Politano make playing time even less likely.

Instead, Goal understands he is looking for a move to England when his loan comes to an end at the close of 2018.

Gabigol’s friend and adviser, Kia Joorabchian, has already begun to investigate interest from potential suitors, which include West Ham, Everton and Crystal Palace.

If a move to the Premier League cannot be worked out, Gabigol is looking at a switch to Spain as potential plan B.

There has been previous interest from the Bundesliga, with Eintracht Frankfurt looking at Gabigol. However, no formal offer has yet been made.

Should Gabigol be convinced to stay in Brazil, Santos would like him to remain while Cruzeiro has a great deal of interest in the forward.