Chelsea Transfer News: Fresh Gabriel Barbosa Rumours, Latest on Naza Bazan Vera

Chelsea target Gabriel Barbosa is reportedly at the centre of a five-way free-for-all between some of Europe's greatest powerhouses this summer. Elsewhere, the Blues are said to be monitoring Argentinian wonderkid Naza Bazan Vera.

According to Bruce Archer of the Express, Gabriel, commonly referred to as Gabigol, is ready to decide his next move, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Leicester, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid also linked.

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The Santos forward recently won a gold medal with Brazil's under-23 team at the 2016 Rio Olympics, and Chelsea were seemingly impressed enough to retain their interest in his services.

However, Goal's Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella reported earlier in the month that it was in fact Serie A giants Inter Milan who were leading the chase to sign the Brazilian ace:

Chelsea have shown plenty of interest in recruiting young Brazilian talent in the past, having welcomed the likes of Oscar, Ramires, Kenedy and Lucas Piazon into their ranks in recent years.

Brazilian football researcher Paulo Freitas also recently attested to the notion it will be Gabigol who ends up "deciding his fate" this summer, with talk of a move to European football looming large:

The Santos star has long been tipped as a future star for club and country, earning comparisons to international compatriot Neymar, alongside whom he recently tasted Olympic success.

What's more, the 19-year-old recently suggested his ideal move would be to join Neymar at Barcelona, per the Sun's Andrew Richardson, except it's unknown if the Blaugrana have taken any steps to recruit the player:

"

Up until now, I haven’t really had the time to think about anything because my attention was completely on the Olympics. Now I will celebrate with my family, then I will return to Santos and think about what I should do. ...

He [Neymar] is a great player and playing alongside him would truly be beautiful.

"

Gabigol operates mainly as a winger and would compete with the likes of Eden Hazard, Willian and Pedro if he was to join manager Antonio Conte's ranks, a heady list of competition for one so young.

Grant Wahl of Sports Illustrated noted the youngster is still not without his bad moments, having failed to impress in the Rio 2016 men's soccer final against Germany last Saturday:

Meanwhile, Chelsea are reportedly set to go head-to-head with Arsenal in their pursuit of Velez Sarsfield youngster Naza Bazan Vera, according to the Sun (h/t Metro's Tom Olver).

The 17-year-old forward is yet to earn his senior debut for the Argentinian club, but it appears his work in the club's youth ranks has been enough to earn attention from some of the Premier League's biggest powers.