Gabriel Barbosa has played down suggestions that he will leave Inter Milan for Liverpool.

The Brazilian midfielder signed for Inter in the summer, for a fee reported to be around €29.5m. Plenty of clubs were interested in his services and many were surprised when he signed for Inter, with Barcelona even said to be considering suing Santos for selling the player to the Nerazzuri.

The highly-rated 20-year-old has since found it hard at Inter and has completely failed to impose himself on the team. He has made only 3 appearances in the Serie A, both of which have come as a substitute. Stefano Pioli has not handed Gabigol a single start thus far, and neither did his previous manager Frank de Boer.

This led to speculation that Gabigol would leave Inter as soon as January, with Liverpool said to be very interested in signing the youngster. His agent fueled speculation as well when he said the 5-year contract meant nothing if his client wasn’t playing, and said that Inter would seek a solution in January.

However, the player himself has now ruled out a move in January.

“I’ve only been here for three months, so it has taken time to adapt to the city and the team,” he said, according to Goal. “I am very happy at Inter. Obviously I hope to play more, but I am happy and realise it will take some patience. I train every day to improve and every day I feel more settled. Plan A is to stay at Inter and make my mark here the way I did at Santos.”

“I think a lot of people are talking rubbish. It’s a different style of football with great players. I arrived in Italy very young, there are very experienced players here who have been in Serie A for a long time. I’m learning a lot and think it’s just a matter of time. No player arrived and immediately went into the starting XI.

Inter Milan's Brazilian forward Gabriel Barbosa reacts during the Italian Serie A football match Inter Milan vs Bologna at the San Siro stadium in Milan on September 25, 2016. (Photo by credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)
Inter Milan’s Brazilian forward Gabriel Barbosa reacts during the Italian Serie A football match Inter Milan vs Bologna at the San Siro stadium in Milan on September 25, 2016. (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images)

Liverpool are said to be looking for reinforcements up front as Daniel Sturridge’s frequent injuries show no sign of abating. With Sadio Mane leaving in January for the Africa Cup of Nations, Jurgen Klopp will be looking to strengthen his team as they continue their assault on the Premier League title.

However, it now looks highly unlikely that Gabriel Barbosa will be one of those reinforcements, and it appears he won’t even seek a move in January. If things don’t improve for the forward at Inter come summer, however, Liverpool could be successful with a bid. For the time being, Gabigol will remain in Italy.

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