Everton is prepared to battle with Manchester United for defender Gabriel from French club Lille. Sources say Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti is a fan of the Brazillian defender.
Manchester United Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti have made defensive reinforcements their priority this transfer window, with the Merseyside club looking out for a Centre-back and right back.
Gabrial dos Santos Magalhaes, 22, is a Brazillian born defender in Sao Paulo, Brazil. He started his career with Brazillian club Avai where he made 21 appearances and scored one goal between 2012-2016 before he moved to French club Lille in 2017 for a fee in the region of €3 million. He played for Lille B-team, where he made just seven appearances, but he was sent out on loan to Troyes and Dinamo Zagreb and was simply able to manage 17 appearances in total.
However, he was a standout performer during the 2018/2019 season for Lille as he made over 32 appearances for the club in the league and Champions League and scored one goal. He can play as a Centre-back, right back, and a defensive midfielder.
Gabriel was part of the squad that represented Brazil U-20 at the 2017 South America Championship.
The French club is willing to listen to offers over £25 million for the defender as they feel the Brazillian has a lot of suitors.
Italian club Napoli is also taught to be in the race for the defender as a replacement for Kalidou Koulibaly, but Everton feels Man United are more of a threat to them than the Italian team.
United are out for defensive reinforcement as Ole Gunnar solskjaer looks to bolster his defence this summer; however, sources say Gabriel is just one of the numerous options the Red Devils have lined up as possible transfer targets.
Everton’s resolve to speed up Gabriel’s signing is due to the retirement of veteran defender Leighton Baines and the expiration of Djibril Sidibe’s loan from Monaco.
Unfortunately, rumours linking full-back Lucas Digne who is on Chelsea’s list as the club desperately wants to sign a left full-back has put the Merseyside club on high alert.
