According to the Independent, Everton are ‘in talks’ with Gabriel Magalhaes and could battle Arsenal & Tottenham Hotspur for his signature.
The Toffees have been in the market for a central defender to join Michael Keane, Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina in the first-team and are due to hold discussions with Lille’s representatives this week.
Where will Everton finish in the Premier League?
1-4
5-7
8-13
14-20
The 22-year-old has been a regular under Christophe Galtier this season and has attracted a lot of interest in his signature. Lille ‘will allow him to leave’ for £25m and the Independent say Everton are leading the race.
Gabriel joined Lille from Avai FC for £2.7m in January 2017 and has gone on to make 51 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals. The Brazilian defender has featured in 33 games across the board this season, playing every minute of every Champions League (540) and Coup de la Ligue (270) game.
In Ligue 1, Gabriel has amassed 1997 minutes of football from a possible 2430. The 22-year-old has completed 82.7% of his 1436 passes, won 81 aerial duels (65%), blocked 34 shots/passes/crosses, made 77 clearances and averaged a tackle (38) or interception (21) every 34 minutes.
Lille are currently fourth in the table 46 points from 27 games and boast 11 clean sheets this season. They’ve conceded one or less goals in 70% of their matches, in part due to Gabriel’s influence at the heart of the backline.
With Everton shipping 42 goals in 28 Premier League games, they desperately need a defender to stem the tide.