Club chief says ‘zero chance’ Manchester United sign his £17m ace in January

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Flamengo chief Marco Braz insists there is ‘zero chance’ that Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa joins Premier League giants Manchester United in a winter swap deal involving Brazil international Antony.

Well, that’s that then. One of the more outlandish rumours of the window consigned to tomorrow’s fish and chip paper.

The Mirror raised more eyebrows than Carlo Ancelotti in a Cadbury’s advert when they reported over the weekend that Gabriel Barbosa, Flamengo’s £17 million centre-forward, could be on his way to Old Trafford, Antony returning to his South American homeland on loan as part of the agreement.

Flamengo’s vice-president needed only two words, however, to draw a line through such claims.

“Zero chance,” Braz tells Panorama Esportivo when asked about the prospect of Gabriel Barbosa heading to Manchester United.

Manchester United’s Gabigol links dismissed

Reporter Jorge Nicola, one of the most reliable voices in Brazilian football, was similarly dismissive on his official YouTube channel.

“I thought the (reports of a swap) were very strange in every way,” Nicola explains.

“Firstly, because Gabigol is 27 and Antony is only 23. Then, because Gabigol is valued at 20 million euros and Antony was brought in for 100 million euros. Completely different figures.

“If I were a Flamengo fan, I wouldn’t buy into this story. I wouldn’t bet my money on it. It doesn’t seem to make sense.”

Gabriel Barbosa flopped during his previous spell in European football with Inter Milan and Benfica respectively. And while better days have been had back home in Brazil, the striker is not exactly living up to his ‘Gabigol’ nickname at present.

The two-time Copa Libertadores winner has scored only five times in 23 Brazilian Serie A games for Flamengo this season.

Antony to stay alongside Erik ten Hag

That is still five more than Antony has to his name in 2023/24, though United boss Erik ten Hag remains confident that his former Ajax whizzkid will come good at Old Trafford.

“Antony’s situation remains quiet,” Fabrizio Romano tells Caught Offside. “There is nothing with any other club at all. For the moment, there is no plan for Antony and Man United to part ways in January.”