Flamengo Star Set for Emotional Homecoming to Boyhood Club.

Gabriel Barbosa (Gabigol)

Santos FC are making strong progress towards bringing Gabriel ‘Gabigol’ Barbosa back to the club where he exploded onto the scene, hot on the heels of Neymar Jr’s one-year contract extension.

Reliable journalist Lucas Musetti reports the Peixe are “closing in” on the deal for the 29-year-old Flamengo icon, who is ready for an emotional comeback to Vila Belmiro.

Gabigol – a Santos youth product who scored 81 goals in 184 games (2013-2018) and helped win the 2018 Brasileirão – has been at Flamengo since 2019, becoming a legend with two Copa Libertadores titles (hero in 2019 final) and multiple domestic honors. His contract expires December 2026, allowing a pre-contract from July or a paid move now.

With Neymar committing until December 2026, president Marcelo Teixeira is building a blockbuster attack to revive Santos post-relegation scare. Gabigol’s physicality, finishing, and big-game mentality would complement Neymar perfectly.

Negotiations ongoing – medical/announcement could follow soon if Flamengo agree a fee (~R$50-80m speculated).