Flamengo

Copa Libertadores champions Flamengo said they are in advanced talks to sign Inter Milan loanee Gabriel Barbosa.

The player known as Gabigol has been a huge success since arriving at the Brazilian giants 12 months ago.

According to Football Italia, the Scarlet-Black have hinted a permanent transfer for the striker could soon be completed.

"We had an excellent meeting yesterday," team vice-president Marcos Braz said. "We took steps forward, and I think we should have a happy ending by the end of next week. At least, I hope we do."

However, Sky Sport Italia (h/t Football Italia) reported Flamengo have not met Inter's asking price, and they could be short of the money the Italian club are demanding to sell the rejuvenated forward.

The Sao Paulo native was named 2019 South American Footballer of the Year after firing Flamengo to the Brazilian league title and Copa glory.

The forward scored 34 goals in 43 appearances, helping Jorge Jesus' team to that unique double and the final of the FIFA Club World Cup, where it lost 1-0 in extra time to Liverpool in Qatar.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia), Flamengo have offered €18 million and 20 per cent of any future transfer fee. However, Antonio Conte's club want €22 million to complete the switch.

In today's spiralling market, the player's fee appears dwarfed by the huge transfer deals across world football, and his potential availability could tempt others.

Mundo Deportivo (h/t Will Griffee for MailOnline) reported Barcelona could make a move for the player to replace the injured Luis Suarez, who has been ruled out for four months. Inter are reportedly interested in Barca midfielder Arturo Vidal, opening up the possibility of a swap deal between the parties.

At 23, Gabigol has plenty of development left in him, and a move to the Camp Nou to be Suarez's long-term heir would be appealing. The opportunity to play with Lionel Messi would be a huge draw.

The Mirror (h/t Lloyd Johnson of the Daily Express) reported Tottenham Hotspur manager Jose Mourinho could swoop for Gabigol after losing Harry Kane until April due to a hamstring injury. Chelsea and West Ham United could also reportedly be destinations for the in-demand goalscorer during January.

Flamengo were crowned 2019 Copa Libertadores winners on Saturday after defeating holders River Plate 2-1 in Lima, Peru.

Rafael Santos Borre gave the champions a first-half advantage after smashing home Ignacio Fernandez's cutback cross after 14 minutes.

With River fully in control and Flamengo out of form on the night, Gabriel Barbosa scored two late goals to give the Brazilians the title.

Gabigol slotted home his first in the 89th minute and slammed home the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.

The Brazil international was sent off in the final seconds, but Gabigol was the match-winner during the most dramatic sporting climax.

FLAMENGO ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF SOUTH AMERICA! 🏆🤯 pic.twitter.com/oxnnvSgqvn

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 23, 2019

Flamengo struggled to settle to the task at hand, and River appeared superior in their search for openings during the 60th Copa final. The first half lacked any real rhythm, and goalscoring opportunities were sparse before the opener.

River were rewarded for their endeavours after driving the Brazilians back and exposing the space vacated.

Fernandez sprinted down the right wing, and his cross caused confusion in the Flamengo box, allowing Borre to finish with conviction. The Brazilians appeared stunned, and the Argentinians showed why they captured the trophy last term.

Matias Suarez was superb as he drove the champions forward, and the 31-year-old was influential throughout the game. Exequiel Palacios almost doubled River's lead before half-time, but the midfielder's shot just missed the target.

Flamengo upped their tempo in the second half. However, the Argentinians looked the more likely to wrap up victory. The Brazilians nearly grabbed a surprise equaliser shortly before the hour mark, and with the ball bouncing around the box, Flamengo failed to hit the target.

River sat deep as the game crawled towards the final whistle, but Flamengo mustered a late attack, allowing Gabigol to tap home a shocking equaliser. The goal came against the run of play, and River appeared to be cruising towards the retention of their title.

Argentinian supporters barely had time to draw breath before Gabigol sent Flamengo fans wild with the winner.

The Brazilian side had been second-best all night, but Gabigol made no mistake when the ball dropped to him in the box, and the Inter Milan loanee fired his shot with deadly precision.

Two red cards were produced during an emotional finale. Palacios and Gabigol were given their marching orders as temperatures overheated at the end.

However, the damage was done. River had no time left to produce a comeback, handing Flamengo the South American title.

                  

What's Next

Flamengo face Ceara on Thursday in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, and River Plate visit Newell's Old Boys on Dec. 1 in the Argentinian Superliga.

Flamengo CEO Reinaldo Belotti has said the fire that killed 10 young players at the club's training ground on Friday was caused by an electricity spike that sparked a fire in an air conditioning unit.

Per Reuters (h/t ESPN), the fire followed a storm over Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday night that killed at least six people.

Belotti attributed the electricity spike to the weather: "It was a succession of events after a catastrophic day for Rio that led to this even greater catastrophe."

The fire burned through a dormitory at the Urubu's Nest training ground, where the club's youth players slept:

BRAZIL: At least 10 people died in a fire at the training complex of Flamengo Football Club in Rio, firefighters say pic.twitter.com/QeNpgPVfQm

— Bloomberg Originals (@bbgoriginals) February 8, 2019

Following the fire, the mayor's office for Rio said the club had been told to close down the dorm "almost 30 times" because the area it was built on was registered as a parking lot, but Belotti dismissed that issue as a contributing factor:

"This area was well known to everyone, It was comfortable and adequate. We were proud of it. The truth is that it was a tragic accident. It was not because of a lack of investment by Flamengo. It was not because Flamengo did not take care."

All of the victims have been identified and were aged between 14 and 17 years old.

A club supporters group paid tribute to those killed:

https://twitter.com/RDTRubroNegro/status/1093975033985359877

Three others were hospitalised—one in "serious condition"—while 10 other teenagers escaped unharmed. One boy recounted that he woke in the early hours of Friday morning to discover his air conditioning unit was aflame.

Flamengo were scheduled to host Fluminense in the semi-final of the Taca Guanabara on Saturday, but the match has been moved to Thursday.

A fire at Flamengo's training complex in Rio de Janeiro has killed 10 people.

According to Adam Forrest of The Independent, firefighters have confirmed at least three people have also been injured after the blaze broke out early Friday morning at the Urubu's Nest training centre. It was extinguished after burning for over two hours.

Per BBC News, the victims have yet to be identified, but a dormitory used by youth players aged between 14 and 17 was engulfed by the flames while the players were asleep.

Brazilian news outlet G1 provided an image showing the effects of the fire:

URGENTE: Incêndio deixa 10 mortos no Centro de Treinamento do Flamengo https://t.co/F4nd0oABiH #G1 pic.twitter.com/b2TIFjpTkq

— g1 (@g1) February 8, 2019

The cause is not yet known.

Brazil legend and former Flamengo player Zico posted a message on his Instagram page in the wake of the tragedy, per Eurosport: "What a shock getting this news here on the other side of the world," the former Brazil midfielder wrote. "May the Red-and-Black nation have strength and faith to get through this moment."

Real Madrid attacker Vinicius Junior, who moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from Flamengo last summer, also took to social media to offer his condolences: "What sad News! Praying for everyone! Strength, strength, strength."

Que notícia triste! Oremos por todos! Força, força e força 😢

— Vini Jr. (@vinijr) February 8, 2019

Flamengo, five-time champions of Brazil, finished runners-up in the Brasileiro last season.

The 2019 league campaign does not get under way until April, but Flamengo are scheduled to face Fluminense on Saturday in the semi-finals of the Taca Guanabara.