Gabriel Magalhaes is stalling over a transfer away from Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille amid interest from Arsenal, Manchester United, SSC Napoli and Everton, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Italian transfer journalist believes a deal for Gabriel to join Arsenal was agreed earlier in the week, but the Brazilian centre-half has stalled on his decision to join the Gunners following an approach from Manchester United.
Arsenal had responded to the Red Devils’ interest by increasing their offer to the Lille ace, with Mikel Arteta’s side pushing to secure the signature of a sought-after 22-year-old seen by Napoli as the successor to Kalidou Koulibaly.
Napoli could not proceed with Gabriel’s transfer due to having to first sell Koulibaly but without finding any suitors willing to meet their valuation, while Manchester United had not reached a stage where the Old Trafford natives were comfortable approaching Lille.
Despite Gabriel appearing to play games by stalling on the Gunners amid rival interest, Arsenal chiefs are “confident” they have won the race for a player Everton had courted since January only to walk away.
Everton could no longer afford to pay the £30million agreed before the Premier League season was put on ice, with the coronavirus pandemic drastically affecting the club’s budget.
A lower offer was discussed but failed to meet Lille’s expectations, opening the door for Arsenal to agree a £27m deal and host Gabriel for a medical toward the end of the week.
The Gunners have reportedly tabled a five-year contract to the defender, who has featured for Brazil’s Under 20s, and are now expected to make Rob Holding and Calum Chambers available for transfers in order to balance the books in north London.
Will Everton regret missing out on Gabriel?
Yes
No
What is said to have allowed Arsenal to beat Manchester United and Napoli to Gabriel’s signature after Everton bowed out is the key role played in discussions by manager and former Toffees midfielder Arteta.
The Spaniard is believed to have left Gabriel ‘stunned’ by his determination to sign him and that it helped to convince the 22-year-old that the Emirates should be his next home.
Everton may now face Gabriel in the Premier League when we host Arsenal at Goodison Park on December 19 after the 2020/21 fixtures were announced, with Carlo Ancelotti’s squad opening the campaign on September 12 away to Tottenham Hotspur.