Gabriel: Inter Milan move not driven by money

Gabriel Barbosa (BRA) (R) of Brazil tries to elude Serge Gnabry (GER) of Germany in the first half in their gold medal men's football match of Rio Olympics. [Photo/Agencies]

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazil international striker Gabriel Barbosa has insisted that his 29.5 million-euro move to Inter Milan was not motivated by money.

Gabriel made his last appearance for Brazil's Santos on Sunday but could not help his team stumble to a 1-0 loss to Figueirense in Brazil's Serie A.

"I'm not going for money, or because Santos pressured me," Gabriel told reporters. "I'm going because that's what I want. It's good money but it's a huge challenge."

The 19-year-old agreed to terms with Inter last week as the Italian giants beat off interest from Juventus, Manchester United and Chelsea.

Gabriel will reportedly earn more than 300,000 US dollars a month, around double the figure he earned with Santos.

"I scored a lot of goals, won titles and now it's time to move on. It's not a matter of money, but of recognition," he said.

Gabriel is seen as one of Brazil most promising strikers, having scored 57 goals in 155 matches since making his first-team debut for Santos in 2013. He has been capped four times for Brazil, scoring twice.

The forward was also part of Brazil's gold medal-winning Olympic football team in Rio earlier this month.

He is due to arrive at the San Siro next mont after playing for Brazil in their World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Colombia.