Liverpool have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Inter Milan striker Gabriel Barbosa.

The Brazil international only joined Inter Milan in the summer but has managed just 20 minutes of Serie A football so far this season.

And Inter manager Stefano Pioli admitted last month the 20-year-old could be sent out on loan in January, putting suitors Liverpool on red alert.

The Reds are thought to be in the market for attacking reinforcements with summer signing Sadio Mane currently on Africa Cup of Nations duty with Senegal.

But Gabigol’s representative Wagner Ribeiro insists Inter have no desire to send his client out on loan and has backed him to break into the first team.

“He has a contract until 2021. The club have never spoken [to me] about loaning him out,” Ribeiro said on the former Santos star.

“Really, he has great potential. He only needs to be well focused because he is only 20. This may not be a problem and should be an advantage instead.

“Gabigol blends strength and talent. We hope that everything will work out better for him at Inter in 2017.”

Source: Daily Express

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