Frank Lampard has made Gabriel Barbosa his top Chelsea transfer target (Picture: Getty)

Frank Lampard has identified Gabriel Barbosa as his top transfer target for January and is keen for Chelsea to sign the Inter Milan forward this month.

Chelsea were not expected to be able to bolster Lampard’s squad in January but saw their transfer ban lifted in December.

Many Blues fans initially saw the ban as a blessing in disguise, with Chelsea enjoying a superb start to the season under club legend Lampard.

Inter Milan forward Barbosa is impressing on loan at Flamengo (Picture: Getty)

But Lampard’s young side have struggled in recent weeks, winning just four of their last 11 fixtures in all competitions and losing to struggling West Ham, Everton, Bournemouth and Southampton.




The poor run has convinced Chelsea they need to splash the cash this month and, according to the Daily Express, Lampard has identified Barbosa as his ‘priority’ signing for January.

Barbosa, who has been given the nickname of Gabigol, is enjoying a sensational season on loan at Flamengo, scoring 25 goals in 29 league games for the Brazilian club.

A prolific goalscorer, Barbosa is said to be seen as the perfect player to reduce the pressure on current Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham.

Abraham has largely impressed in his first full season in the Premier League – netting 15 goals – but at 22 will need support to get through the rest of the campaign.

The Daily Express say Chelsea are considering using out-of-favour forward Olivier Giroud as bait in a deal to bring Barbosa to Stamford Bridge.

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Inter Milan boss Antonio Conte, who left Chelsea in 2018, is believed to be interested in securing a deal for France international Giroud.

Chelsea have reportedly given Lampard around £150million to spend this month and the Blues legend is also eyeing moves for Wilfried Zaha, Ben Chilwell and Jadon Sancho.

Lampard’s side are currently fourth in the Premier League and face Championship outfit Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon.

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