Gabriel Magalhaes in action for Lille. (Getty Images)
According to the Independent, Everton are in talks to sign Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes in the summer.
Gabriel Magalhaes, 22, started his career with Avai Futebol Clube and spent five years with the Brazilian second-tier club. He joined Lille in 2017 and that’s where he has been since, though the 22-year-old has spent time on loan at Troyes and Dinamo Zagreb.
Since returning to Lille last year, the Brazilian has been a regular for the Ligue 1 club, making 34 league appearances overall, including 24 league outings this season, and six Champions League appearances too. He has performed very well this season, helping Lille to fourth place in the table.
The report adds Gabriel signed a new deal with Lille until 2023, however, the Ligue 1 club will allow him to leave this summer if they receive an offer in the region of £25-£30m.
Everton have improved under Carlo Ancelotti as they are now 12th in the table and are eight points behind fifth-placed Chelsea. When Ancelotti replaced Marco Silva at Goodison Park back in December, the club was flirting with relegation.
However, the Toffees’ form has been indifferent of late, as they drew 1-1 with Manchester United and were given a 4-0 hiding by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.
Speaking about Everton’s problems, they have been woeful defensively. Neither Michael Keane nor Yerry Mina has been up to the mark. Mason Holgate has improved under Ancelotti’s tutelage but with none of the central defenders showing consistency in their performance and the Toffees lacking depth in that area of the pitch, the Italian tactician has to tighten up things at the back in the summer.
To that end, Gabriel Magalhaes would be a smart fit at Goodison Park. After a foot injury kept him out of action earlier, Gabriel has featured in 21 Ligue 1 games this season and has helped his side keep 12 clean sheets in the process. He is an exciting young defender who has been a huge presence at the heart of Lille’s defence this term.
The Brazilian would undoubtedly strengthen Everton’s defensive unit, whilst bringing depth to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad. He has shown his ability to perform consistently for Lille this season and would be a prized long-term asset to Everton if he is able to replicate the same form he has shown in Ligue 1.
Gabriel is 22, and after gaining decent Ligue 1 experience is perhaps at the right age to make the jump to the Premier League. He would bring some much-needed competition for Mina, Holgate and Keane next season should a move to Goodison Park materialise.
Gabriel is a young, quality defender with potential and there are chances of him establishing himself at a higher level under the guidance of Ancelotti. Thus, Everton must do everything in their powers to sign the Lille defender.
