SANTOS ACCEPT €20M JUVENTUS BID FOR GABRIEL

The Brazilian side's president Modesto Roma says they have notified the player's agent and parents of the offer, but the transfer is set to be a complicated one
Santos have confirmed they have accepted a bid of €20 million from Juventus for Gabriel Barbosa.

The highly rated 19-year-old, nicknamed 'Gabigol', has been linked with some of Europe's top clubs, with Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea all credited with an interest, but Spanish champions Barcelona are said to have first refusal.

Despite the seemingly imminent arrival of Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli, Juve have made a move for the attacker, who must now make a decision on the offer before the deal can progress any further, according to club president Modesto Roma.

"We sent a letter to Wagner [Ribeiro, Gabriel's agent], Valdemir and Lindalva [his parents] with the terms," he told Globo Esporte.


"Santos are now waiting for their position. If they think it's interesting, then we'll go to the next step, including informing Barcelona."

Barca could be tempted to match Juve's offer, with Luis Enrique eager to sign a striker before the start of the season, but any negotiations to sign the Brazil international outright would be further complicated by his registration.

Santos are reported to own 40 per cent of the player, while Gabriel and his family own a further 40 per cent, with funding group Doyen Sports controlling the remaining 20 per cent.

It is suggested the teenager, who has scored five goals in 10 appearances in the Campeonato Brasileiro so far this season and will represent Brazil at Rio 2016, would need to relinquish his share of his registration in order to facilitate a transfer.