‘Five offers’ tabled – Everton blow in pursuit of €25m man dribbled past less times than Holgate
Everton have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Gabriel Magalhaes, with L’Equipe via Sport Witness revealing that the 22-year-old has ‘five offers’ on the table from clubs. Gabriel could be on the move from LOSC Lille this summer, but it remains to be seen where he’ll end up. Everton, Arsenal, Napoli and Chelsea are interested, but no decision has been made.
The Toffees have been linked with Unai Nunez, Mohammed Salisu, Wesley Fofana, Thiago Silva, Kalidou Koulibaly, Thiago Silva, Marash Kumbulla, Christian Luyindama, Issa Diop and Tosin Adarabioyo, but Gabriel has long been their target.
Gabriel joined Lille from Avai FC for £2.7m in 2017, was loaned out to Troyes (July 1, 2017 – February 14, 2018) and Dinamo Zagreb (February 15, 2018 – June 30, 2018) before nailing down a starting place and making 52 appearances in all competitions, scoring twice. The 22-year-old is a regular under Christophe Galtier, having featured 24 times this season, and has impressed in Ligue 1.
Gabriel has won 83 aerial duels, had 17 shots, blocked 35 shots/crosses/passes, made 78 clearances and averaged a tackle (41) or interception (22) every 33 minutes. The Brazilian has only been dribbled past seven times too – less than Mason Holgate (9) and Michael Keane (10) – so he could be a good addition to the Everton backline.