Arteta hit with firey retort as his £23m Arsenal transfer plan is dismissed

Gabriel Barbosa's agent has poured cold water over a potential move to Arsenal.

The Flamengo striker has attracted interest from various Premier League clubs including the Gunners as he continues to impress in Brazil.

Mikel Arteta is on the lookout for a striker in January - an area he wasn't able to strengthen in the summer as Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Ollie Watkins were both linked with a move to the Emirates.

Fiorentina star Duhan Vlahovic has emerged as a target but Arenal face stiff competition from the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

Barbosa, valued at £23million by transfermarkt, is a more affordable option but it appears a switch to the Premier League is a long shot.

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The 25-year-old's agent Junior Pedroso has claimed there is no substance to these rumours which did not originate from Barbosa's camp.

He told Yahoo Esports: "Only us from 4ComM and Gabriel's father can speak on behalf of the athlete.

"There is absolutely nothing with the Premier League or any other league at the moment."

Pedroso is adamant Gabriel has not had his head turned and remains fully focused on Flamengo, with three years remaining on his current contract.

"He is focused solely on playing for Flamengo because he is very happy at the club," he added.

Barbosa was tipped as the 'next Neymar' playing for Santos but has failed to love up to those lofty expectations.

The forward secured a £25m move to Inter Milan in 2016, but he only managed one goal in ten appearances during his time at the San Siro as he was farmed out on loan on three separate occasions.

He eventually secured a move back to his homeland with Flamengo where he has rediscovered his form.

Gabriel, nicknamed 'Gabigol', has netted 60 goals in 86 appearances for his current employers and almost fired them to a Copa Libertadores title this season.

He was one of the standout players of the competition, but Flamengo were edged out 2-1 by Palmeiras in Saturday's final.

Barbosa's performances have resulted in the likes of West Ham,Newcastle and Arsenal keeping an eye on the striker, but it appears Mikel Arteta might be forced to look at other options with Barbosa keen on staying in Brazil.