Lots of Toffees supporters have been reacting on social media, after Everton Aren’t We claimed the club want to complete a deal for LOSC Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes ahead of the summer window.
The Blues had attempted to sign Gabriel during the January transfer market but saw multiple offers turned down, as Les Dogues President Gerard Lopez felt no approach met his asking price.
It has since been claimed the Ligue 1 outfit would accept £30million for the 22-year-old at the end of the season, feeling that interest from the Toffees and Arsenal, plus the Gunners deal for Saint-Etienne’s William Saliba, warrants a high valuation.
Gabriel also put pen to paper on a new contract at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in the days immediately after the winter window slammed shut, which keeps him contractually tied to the French side until 2023.
But it would appear that that has not led to Director of Football Marcel Brands moving away from targeting the former Brazil youth international, as Everton Aren’t We believe the Dutchman is looking to conclude a deal before the current campaign ends.
Would you back a move for Gabriel?
Yes
No
Gabriel has made 31 appearances so far this season across all competitions, with 21 outings in the French top-flight, six in the Champions League Group Stage and further outings over the Coupe de la Ligue and Coupe de France.
The Sao Paulo, Brazil-born centre-half has started 30 of those appearances, while helping to keep 11 clean sheets – including shutting out FC Girondins Bordeaux and Olympique Lyonnais.
He has also averaged 1.5 successful tackles, 1.0 interceptions, 3.6 clearances, 3.6 aerial duels won and 64 passes per 90 minutes in Ligue 1 this term, per WhoScored data.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to the claims that Brands is intending to wrap up a deal for Gabriel before the summer window…
Great player if true
— Zack 1878 (@zackcarney15) February 17, 2020
Build a team around richy Brazilian style so he doesn’t wanna leave, which I doubt he wud next season anyway, makes sense #utft
— stephen phillips (@stevephillps81) February 17, 2020
Seen a little bit of him at Lille and watched him against us in the alagrve cup in silvas first season. Good on the ball, pace and power. Still think it would be mina and holgate at the back but boss young center back for rotation
— jamie byrom (@jamie_byrom) February 17, 2020
Interesting if true
— James Andrews (@SavEliiz2014) February 17, 2020
Hahah is right he’s boss
— Michael (@greenallefc) February 17, 2020
The school of samba🇧🇷
— Craig Gordon. (@CraigGordon95) February 17, 2020
If true an exciting signing, with the huge bonus he is left footed
— Ahmed Tim Ferguson (@duncfergie9) February 18, 2020
Unit
— dean ward (@deanward1234) February 17, 2020
In other Everton news, the club are continuing to scout one of Carlo Ancelotti’s January transfer targets.