Manchester United prepare £30m offer to sign Gabriel Barbosa

Manchester United are favourites to land in-demand forward Gabriel Barbosa with the Red Devils preparing a £30m ($38.7m) offer to beat off competition from rivals across Europe. The Brazilian attacker has been on the radar of clubs from the Serie A and the Premier League and interest has peaked following his impressive performances for his nation in the ongoing Olympics in Rio.

Inter Milan and Juventus have made approaches for the striker, while Leicester City, Arsenal and Chelsea were the English clubs linked with a move for the forward. Claudio Ranieri was expecting to win the race with Gabigol, as he is known in his homeland admitted recently that his representatives and parents were considering offers from clubs outside Brazil.

The Foxes were ready to smash their transfer record and land the in-demand forward, who has been dubbed the 'new Neymar' in his homeland. United's interest, however, is said to have turned his head and is now closer to moving to Old Trafford with the club ready to meet Santos' demands.

According to the Sun, Jose Mourinho is ready to part with £26m plus £4m in agents' fees to bring the striker to Manchester and beat off competition from their rivals. The Portuguese manager is keen to bring in a forward to bolster the attack and provide back up to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and has identified the Brazilian as a perfect candidate.

The Brazilian club's president Modesto Roma is said to have held talks with club representatives in England and in Spain with Atletico Madrid, who are also keen on signing Gabigol. The 19-year-old has scored two goals for Brazil in their ongoing Olympic campaign and they are currently preparing for a semi-final clash against Honduras, which they will be expected to win.