Gabriel Barbosa: 'Playing alongside Neymar at Barcelona would be beautiful'

In-demand Brazilian Gabriel Barbosa has admitted that he would be interested in joining Barcelona to link up with international teammate Neymar.

The forward was a part of the Selecao's Olympic football squad that claimed a historic gold with a penalty-shootout victory over Germany on Saturday.

Manchester United were thought to be leading the race to lure Barbosa away from current club Santos, but the 19-year-old appears to be more interested in joining Spanish giants Barcelona.

"Up until now, I haven't really had the time to think about anything because my attention was completely on the Olympics," The Sun quotes him as saying. "Now I will celebrate with my family, then I will return to Santos and think about what I should do."

Asked if he would like to join his close friend Neymar at Camp Nou, Barbosa replied: "He is a great player and playing alongside him would truly be beautiful."

Inter Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid and Premier League champions Leicester City have also been linked with the striker, nicknamed 'Gabigol', throughout the summer transfer window.