Transfer Centre

Palmeiras boss Cuca urges Gabriel Jesus to remain in Brazil

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 22 June 2016

Palmeiras boss Cuca urges in-demand teenager Gabriel Jesus to snub the likes of Barcelona and instead continue his development in the Brazilian league.

Palmeiras boss Cuca has urged in-demand Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus to snub the likes of Barcelona and instead continue his development in the Brazilian league.

Gabriel, 19, is believed to be the subject of firm interest from Barcelona, while Manchester United, Bayern Munich, Manchester City and Juventus have also been linked with a move for the teenager.

Earlier this month, Gabriel's agent Christian Simoes revealed that Bayern and Juventus were both interested in signing the 19-year-old, while Man City and Man United have joined the race in recent days.

Barcelona are believed to be the forward's number one choice, but Cuca has warned Gabriel that a move to Spain would hamper his development at this stage of his career.

"Barca's representatives have been around for a while, not just today. They have already seen other games. Gabriel knows this and does not let it mislead him," Cuca told reporters. "If I were Gabriel's father, I would not let him leave today. He is not going to play in Barcelona today. Who would he play in place of there? Here, he will grow more.

"It is not yet his time. Playing here, he will be in much better condition to play for the national team than playing there - he knows this. He will be with us until the end of the year."

Gabriel, who missed out on a spot in Brazil's 2016 Copa America squad due to visa issues, scored twice in Palmeiras's 2-0 win over America Mineiro on Tuesday night.