Chelsea turn transfer attention to Inter Milan striker Gabigol after goal spree on loan at Flamengo
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CHELSEA have turned their attention to Brazilian striker Gabigol after his successful loan spell at Flamengo from Inter Milan, it has been claimed.
But the Blues could face competition from bitter London rivals West Ham, who sent scouts to watch the striker in the Fifa Club World Cup final against Liverpool.
Gabigol - whose real name is Gabriel Barbosa - has had an offer from a Premier League club "bigger than Crystal Palace", according to Brazilian outlet .
And the interest in Barbosa - who has just returned to Inter after a year-long loan at Brazilian side Flamengo - is now coming from Chelsea, according to Italian reports.
With Olivier Giroud being linked with a move the other way to link up with ex-Chelsea boss Antonio Conte at the San Siro, the latest development could worry the Hammers.
West Ham sent representatives to Doha to watch Gabigol and strike partner Bruno Henrique as the Brazilian giants lost in extra-time to Jurgen Klopp's men in the Club World Cup final.
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Flamengo beat River Plate 2-1 in November's Copa Libertadores final to reach the tournament in Qatar.
And Barbosa, 23, was the hero against the Argentinian side - scoring in the 89th and 92nd minutes to hand the Brazilians a famous late win.
Barbosa has been on the Hammers' radar for some time but it remains to be seen whether new boss David Moyes is a fan.
But having bagged 34 goals and 11 assists from 43 games with the Libertadores champs during his time back in Brazil, it appears a Premier League move is almost inevitable for the 23-year-old.
Barbosa has five international caps and has spoken in the past of his admiration for Brazil teammate Roberto Firmino and his desire to play in the Premier League.
He said: "Firmino is great, I really admire him. He's been successful for many years in Europe.
"He is a powerful forward and he has been great for Brazil. He is an inspiration that I look up to.
"It would be a pleasure to play with him.
"Maybe we could team up for Brazil in the future and Liverpool is a team that everyone wants to play for."
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Flamengo previously claimed they had agreed a permanent deal with the striker to return to the club but Inter have denied this and will listen to offers from the highest bidder.
Back in Brazil, hundreds of thousands of Flamengo fans lined the streets of Rio de Janeiro to celebrate after their dramatic Copa Libertadores triumph.
But armed cops were forced to intervene with tear gas later in the day when the celebrations got out of hand.