Gabriel Magalhaes has been in sensational form for Lille this season (Getty Images)
According to Liverpool Echo, Everton are keen on signing Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes in the summer to bolster their defensive unit.
Gabriel, 22, came through the ranks of Avai Futebol Clube’s youth system in Brazil and moved to France with Lille in 2017. Initially, he struggled for regular game time with the French outfit and was sent on loan to Troyes AC and Dinamo Zagreb.
Since returning to his parent club, the Brazilian has bee a regular member in the starting XI and has been impressive this season. He has featured in all but 3 Ligue 1 games so far and has helped the club reach 4th position in the league standings, hoping for a potential Champions League qualification.
Meanwhile, Everton have endured a mixed season so far despite overcoming the poor run of form in the first half of the season under Marco Silva. The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti brought positivity within the team as they got off to a good start under the Italian.
But as games kept coming thick and fast, the Toffees began to feel the heat and slipped to 12th position after failing to win any of their last three league games. Despite the attacking unit doing a decent job in the latter stages of the campaign, they haven’t been at their best in defence.
The Toffees have conceded 46 goals already so far and they don’t have enough defensive backup in their ranks. Yerry Mina, Mason Holgate and Michael Keane are the only three centre-backs available at the manager’s disposal. Therefore, they should prioritize strengthening the backline with proper reinforcements.
In that regard, Lille’s Gabriel Magalhaes would be a perfect fit for the team as he been putting in some outstanding performances in the French top-flight.
The 22-year-old has struck a strong partnership with Portuguese international Jose Fonte as the duo has helped the team keep an impressive 12 clean sheets in the campaign. Gabriel has been ever-present in the heart of Lille’s defence this term.
The Brazilian is also capable of operating as a defensive midfielder and could be useful for Everton boss Ancelotti. He could be a valuable asset for the team if he is able to reproduce his current form for the Toffees, who have struggled to maintain a strict backline.
Everton need to bring in reinforcements to their backline as they have limited options in the defence and Gabriel could provide them with depth and quality in the squad. He is just 20 and has the ability to establish himself as a top defender.
Therefore, the Toffees should lure the Brazilian to Goodison Park in the summer and he can represent them in the long run.
