Arsenal have been told that Brazilian forward Gabriel Barbosa is ‘very happy’ with Flamengo amid reported transfer interest.
The Gunners have been linked with a move for the former Inter Milan striker after his stunning goal-scoring form over recent seasons.
A move would certainly make sense for Arsenal, with them potentially having difficult questions to answer about the respective futures of Alexandre Lacazette, Eddie Nketiah and Folarin Balogun.
However, their hopes have been handed what could be crushing blow, with his representatives confirming that he is content in his homeland and that talks have not been opened with any interested parties as of yet.
Junior Pedroso – a member of the striker’s managerial team – told Yahoo: “Only us from 4ComM and Gabriel’s father can speak on behalf of the athlete.
“There is absolutely nothing with the Premier League or any other league at the moment.”
He continued: “He is focused solely on playing for Flamengo because he is very happy at the club.”
It is certainly no surprise to have seen the Gunners linked with Barbosa, with the Brazilian having netted an extraordinary 84 goals in just 122 appearances since returning to his homeland.
He has also played a key role in the club lifting the Brazilian Serie A crown, as well as the Copa Libertadores.
The 25-year-old forward has just over three years left to run on his current contract with his current employers, who will surely not be keen to lose one of their key men who has also been compared to Paris Saint-Germain star and compatriot Neymar in the past.