According to the Mirror, Everton could sign Lille defender Gabriel in the summer transfer window but would have to get rid of a defender first, unless they qualify for the UEFA Europa League next season.
The Blues have picked up nicely under Carlo Ancelotti since his arrival and finishing in a European-football paying place in the league table is now a real possibility.
Of course, with the current global situation raging on, it remains to be seen if we get a chance to finish in one of those spots but, crucially, if we don’t, we’ll have to move someone on before looking to complete a deal for the Lille defender.
Ancelotti, once the summer window is open, will be delving into his first off-season market with the club and he is bound to want to make an impact and make some exciting signings that improve the side.
Indeed, it appears Gabriel is one man that is on his list and the player could be an early arrival, with the report suggesting that £30m could be the figure that gets the deal done.
However, as mentioned, a defender would have to leave the club to free up finances if the Blues do not make European football next season, and who it would be to make room remains to be seen.
And who has decided that the player to leave is a central defender? We only have 3!
We have plenty of midfielders we would happily see the back of, though: Schneiderlin, Bolasie, Walcot, Delph and evening Sigurdsson. Getting rid of one of those will free up plenty of finances and balances our team much better than losing one of three available centre half’s….