West Ham hav made contact with Inter Milan over the signing of striker Gabriel Barbosa, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Sky Sport Italia reporter’s official website says that talks between the Hammers and Inter have intensified in recent days with the London club now favourites to land the Brazilian.

Barbosa, nicknamed Gabigol, is currently on loan back in his native Brazil with Santos, but after scoring 18 goals, he will be returning to Italy in January.

Inter Milan’s sporting director Piero Ausilio has openly stated that they are interested in offloading the 22-year-old when he returns as he won’t feature in manager Luciano Spalletti’s first-team plans:

“Gabigol will finish the loan with Santos in January and then return to Inter. For the next six months, we will have no space for him. We are happy with what he has done and we will find the best solution with him.”

Gabigol was signed for £27m in 2016 but has made just eight appearances for Inter, scoring just one goal. Reports in England suggest that the Serie A side are keen to recoup as much as £25m for the forward, but they may be open to a loan deal with a purchase option at the end of the season.