Football
ESPN staff 7y

Gabriel 'Gabigol' Barbosa happy to stay with Inter Milan 'for now'

Gabriel "Gabigol" Barbosa has ruled out a summer move away from Inter Milan, committing his future to the fallen Serie A giants "for now."

The 20-year-old attacker endured a tough first season with the Nerazzurri, making zero starts and only nine substitute appearances after his much-vaunted €29.5 million move from Santos.

Gabigol, however, has pledged to stay on at the San Siro and fight for his place under new Inter manager Luciano Spalletti.

"For now, I'm staying," he said to Globoesporte. "I'm happy here, although it is true that if I don't play, I get bored.

"I want to play, so I hope to make a decision soon, but for now I can say that I'm staying at Inter.

"My first season at Inter was very difficult, but I still hope to show my qualities. I have been learning and maturing. I feel like a new man.

"I expected more in the way of opportunities and my start here wasn't as I expected. I'm working hard and I now understand how Italian football works, which is very different from in Brazil. I want to establish myself here."

Spalletti said this week that he plans to "send the fans' hearts racing" as Inter's new coach, but it remains to be seen if Gabigol figures in his plans.

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