Inter Milan are on the brink of beating Juventus in the race for Gabirel Barbosa, commonly known as Gabigol, after Barcelona decided not to enact their first-refusal deal over the player.

Joaquim Piera

Santos are required to report the deal to Barça given the preferential agreement that was inserted into Neymar's transfer when he moved to the Camp Nou in 2013.

Iranian agent Kia Joorabchian landed in Sao Paulo on Monday with an offer of 25 million euros from Internazionale, which exceeded the expectations of Santos and Gabigol himself. In addition, the Nerazzurri - now owned by the Chinese corporation Suning Holdings Group - are also proposing a salary of three million euros net per year for the 19-year-old.

Joorabchian, Gabigol's father, Valdemir Silva, and the Brazilian striker's agent, Wagner Ribeiro, have already negotiated the final details of the deal. Santos, who hold 40 per cent of Gabigol's economic rights, will receive 18 million euros, Gabigol will keep seven million for himself.

The remaining 20 per cent belongs to investment group Doyen, but the current Santos board, headed by Modesto Junior Roma, doesn't officially recognise this stake and have already reported the group to the Brazilian judicial system.

Gabigol's departure from Santos has had an unexpected outcome. Last Thursday, Juventus officially announced a bid of 20 million euros for the striker, 18 million of which would be received by Santos.

However, Gabigol refused the offer as he wasn't willing to only receive two million euros for his economic rights.

As a result, Internazionale, who lost out on fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus, have been in the market for a new, young forward with the potential to develop into a future star.