With an incredible array of summer signings already completed, it seems Juventus have not finished their work on the transfer market quite yet. Indeed, after adding Gonzalo Higuain, Miralem Pjanic, Dani Alves, Medhi Benatia and Marko Pjaca to their squad, the Bianconeri could be forgiven for not making any further work for themselves.

Yet rather than preparing for the 2016/17 campaign with the group they have, the Turin giants have instead continued to look for further reinforcements. Aside from a number of midfielders identified as potential replacements for Paul Pogba, it appears that Gabriel Barbosa has become their next major target.

Writing on his own website—and translated here by David Amoyal—Gianluca Di Marzio reports that Juventus have an agreement with the man known as “Gabigol” on terms for a four- or five-year contract.

However, the transfer expert notes that “this is an important step but not a decisive one” due to the complicated ownership of the player’s registration, with current club Santos possessing just a 40 percent share. His family own that same proportion, while the remaining 20 percent was sold to Doyen Sports, making any move extremely difficult to finalise.

The Bianconeri are expected to receive heavy competition for Barbosa’s signature, with Spanish newspaper Marca noting interest from Barcelona, while La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia) add Inter Milan to the list of potential suitors.

Yet Juve appear to have the upper hand, with Santos president Modesto Roma telling Lance (h/t Ben Gladwell of ESPN FC) last month that his club have accepted a bid of €20 million for their stake in the player.

“We sent a letter to Wagner [Ribeiro, Gabigol’s agent], Valdemir and Lindalva [his parents] with the terms,” Roma confirmed to Globoesporte (h/t Football Italia). “If they think it’s interesting, then we’ll go to the next steps, including consulting Barcelona.”

That final point is an interesting one, as the Catalan club have first refusal on the 19-year-old and could match Juve’s bid. Why all the interest? Simply put, Gabigol is viewed as the next Brazilian who could use the fact his homeland is hosting this summer’s Olympics as a catapult to superstardom.

He has already scored twice in four appearances for the Selecao, including the well-taken Copa America Centenario strike shown above. That came in Brazil’s 7-1 rout of Haiti, and back in May, the man himself told a press conference just what it meant to him to be part of Dunga’s squad for that competition:

It’s a dream that’s being realized. I’ve always worked for this and thank God I made it. I’m speechless. It’s something really wonderful and unforgettable. To represent my country, and in such an important tournament is an achievement in my life.

I just have to thank everyone who taught me a lot for all this time, and gave me a lot of advice. If I reached where I am now, I owe a lot to them. My family also stood by my side always, giving unconditional support at all times.

Barbosa undeniably merited inclusion, constantly impressing since his 2013 debut for Santos. Then only 16 years old, he made his bow playing alongside Neymar in what was his final game for the club, who had clearly positioned the younger man as the heir apparent to the Barcelona star.

He would not disappoint. Gabigol netted 21 goals in each of the following two seasons, his stellar form culminating in that call-up to the full national team. Brazilian football expert Simon Kuper is also in no doubt as to his quality, as he told ESPN just last month:

Gabigol has something of Neymar’s light-footed speed, an eye for the assist as well as for goal, and a versatility that allows him to play as winger, No. 10, or a slightly withdrawn centre-forward.

He is also more serious than certain Brazilian players. Even on holiday he trains with a personal coach, and his family has organized itself in service of his career.

A tally of 23 goals and 12 assists in his last 82 appearances for Santos support that assessment, with a number of statistics highlighting just how effective Barbosa is whenever he takes to the field.  According to WhoScored.com, he averaged 2.4 shots per game in 2015, with that figure rising to 2.8 this year.

In addition to the increase in volume, Gabigol has also improved his accuracy, with Squawka.com showing a rise from 56 percent last term to 62 percent this season.  His dribbling has also marginally improved, with WhoScored noting an increase to 1.2 completed take-ons this year, while the same source serves to showcase a massive improvement in his passing.

In 2015, Barbosa completed 81.1 percent of his 20.8 passes per game, but in 10 appearances this season, he has almost doubled that output. Now making 40.7 attempts per outing, he has connected with 85 percent, hinting at a much-improved attitude towards finding a team-mate.

That bodes well for the future, but it is his breathtaking skill and quick acceleration—shown in the video below—that will most excite supporters. Drifting past opponents with ease, his neat footwork and superb first touch are evident, as is that aforementioned clinical eye for goal.

Rarely panicking when a chance falls to him, his agent believes the striker’s future lies with the Bianconeri. Speaking briefly with Turin-based newspaper Tuttosport last month (h/t Football Italia) Wagner Ribeiro said that “Gabigol wants Juventus.”

He also seems hell bent on succeeding whenever his big-money move arrives. “I really don’t think I should be worried about when I will move to Europe,” he told ESPN’s Simon Kuper. “Right now I’m more concerned about being ready. I’m always training hard.”

One area he needs to work on is his physicality, with his slender frame not helped by the fact he stands just 5’9” (1.76 meters) tall. That could make battling with the robust approach of Serie A extremely difficult, and it is something Gabigol must learn to deal with, as Italian defenders will delight in overpowering him.

Yet Brazilian scout Betinho—the man credited with recommending both Robinho and Neymar to Santos—is in little doubt that Barbosa can overcome his lack of stature and become a truly spectacular player in the coming years.

“Many have said that he has no strength and resistance to make it as a professional, but I think he will be the idol of his generation,” Betinho told Lance (h/t FourFourTwo). “He is a healthy, dedicated and focused boy, born with the gift of goals.”

He could well be the perfect present for Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri, too, an extra weapon with which the Bianconeri can attack their opponents next term. If the Old Lady can find a deal for Barbosa, the prospect of him joining forces with Higuain and Paulo Dybala is an intriguing one indeed.

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