Barcelona report Santos to FIFA over Gabigol transfer to Inter
FC Barcelona's legal services have reported Santos to FIFA as they believe the Brazilian club did not respect their right to have first refusal on striker Gabriel Barbosa Almeida, better known as Gabigol. Santos sold sold the player at the end of August to Inter Milan for 30 million euros.
Barça had a preferential right on Gabigol thanks to an agreement as part of the signing of Neymar in 2013. In addition to Gabigol, they also had the same option on Victor Andrade and Giva. Barça paid Santos nine million euros for these rights.
The Catalan club feel cheated by Santos and feel that the agreement was broken in bad faith. According to a source at the club, Santos officially announced the sale of Gabigol to Inter on Aug. 28, three days before the transfer window shut. Barça, therefore, did not have time to present an alternative offer.
Gabigol had been on Barcelona's agenda to strengthen their attack this summer, as were Gabriel Jesus and Luan, all three of whom were part of Brazil's gold medal-winning Olympic squad with Neymar.
This is a new chapter in the 'war' between Barcelona and Santos which has developed since the Neymar transfer. Remember that Santos have already reported Barcelona to FIFA, demanding more than the 17 million euros they received for the Brazilian forward.
