Who is Gabriel Moscardo? Brazlian wonderkid wanted by Man Utd, Barca and Chelsea

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Brazil’s national team are struggling in their quest to qualify for the next World Cup, but several talented youngsters are emerging for the Selecao. Endrick is widely regarded as the future of Brazilian football and he’s already signed for Real Madrid but Gabriel Moscardo is rapidly growing in prominence.

Stats

Gabriel Moscardo Defensive Midfield

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista

Season 23/24–
Série A

Games

18

Goals

1

Assists

1

The 18-year-old only made his debut for Corinthians in June against Liverpool of Uruguay in the CONMEBOL Libertadores but he’s already developed into a key player. Moscardo made his Brazil Under-23 debut in September and he’s been chased by several of Europe’s top clubs ahead of a potential transfer in January.

Who is Gabriel Moscardo?

Moscardo is primarily a defensive midfielder, who progressed through the ranks at Corinthians after joining from youth side Atleta Cidadao. After making his Serie A debut against RB Bragantino in July, Moscardo has amassed 17 appearances in the top-flight of Brazilian football and he scored his first professional goal in their recent win over Vasco de Gama with an excellent finish from the edge of the box.

“Moscardo very quickly became one of the Brazilian Série A's top talents this year,” said Transfermarkt’s Brazilian expert Marcos Watts. “The promising academy player for Corinthians, Moscardo was quick to impress at the professional level, earning a place in the team's starting XI after just one appearance. After just two or three games, Moscardo was already in the spotlight and got some fans claiming he is Corinthians' best talent". He has since then reportedly drawn interest from Chelsea, PSG and AC Milan. Wherever he goes, I believe he could become a great player in the future.”

How good is Gabriel Moscardo?

While he’s only made 24 senior appearances for Corinthians, Moscardo is regarded as one of the best young Brazilian talents. Some of the best defensive midfielders across the last decade have hailed from Brazil in Casemiro, Fernandinho and Fabinho. Moscardo will aim to emulate his countrymen and his mooted departure will almost certainly earn Corinthians their highest ever transfer fee. Paulinho’s €19.75m move to Tottenham in 2013 remains the Sao Paulo based side’s biggest sale but Corinthians will demand in excess of €20m to allow Moscardo to depart.

"Despite being just 18, he has great physicality and knows how to use his body to win challenges and protect the ball,” Brazilian expert Watts added on Moscardo’s skillset. “He has also shown great ability to make tackles and awareness to intercept passes - as you expect any good defensive mid to be able to do - but his ability with the ball is what makes him different. Moscardo carries the ball with ease, finds good passes and can dictate the tempo of a game - he’s that kind of player who controls the midfield and isn’t afraid to break up opposition plays. As for his personality, Moscardo seems to be very calm and composed, knowing when to take risks and thriving under pressure.”

What clubs want to sign Gabriel Moscardo?

Chelsea reportedly had a €22 million bid rejected in the summer towards the end of the transfer window according to ESPN Brazil and Moscardo confirmed the English Premier League side's interest earlier this month. He said: “I can confirm that there was interest from Chelsea a few months ago, strong interest… but I want to help Corinthians get out of this situation. To tell you the truth, I have very little information, my father knows a few things”. Former Brazilian international and current pundit Neto recently claimed on TV show "Os Donos da Bola" that Chelsea had agreed a deal with Corinthians, adding: "Moscardo was sold to Chelsea. That's the information I have, that’s why he didn't play [against Bahia]. Chelsea play what? Premier League. Who runs the Premier League? Kia. Who runs the Premier League? Giuliano Bertolucci. This is the information I have. It may not be true. But it’s hard for me to make mistakes."

Fabrizio Romano, however, refuted those claims and indicated that Chelsea were not going to return for Moscardo in January with PSG now leading the race. ESPN Brazil have also claimed that Manchester United and Atletico Madrid are tracking the midfielder, while Liverpool and Arsenal have a long-standing interest in the teenager. Barcelona have also been linked with sporting director Deco, a huge admirer of Moscardo, according to Sport.