Everton could be made to pay for failing to tie up a deal for Gabriel Magalhaes, with AS reporting that the Lille centre-back has now emerged on the radar of none other than Real Madrid.
About six weeks ago, it seemed only a matter of time before the 23-year-old Brazilian was unveiled in front of the Gwladys Street end, arm in arm with Carlo Ancelotti.
According to the Independent, Everton were in advanced talks about a deal that would see Gabriel make the trip across the Channel to the tune of £30 million. The Ligue 1 powerhouse was also reported to have passed a medical at Goodison Park, with the deal looking like a case of ‘when’ rather than ‘if’.
But then things went cold.
For whatever reason, Everton appear to have stepped off the gas with their pursuit of a new centre-back shuddering to a sudden halt.
It has not yet been confirmed why the chase for Gabriel has hit a brick wall, but the man himself offered something of an indication recently to Foot-Sur7.
“If possible, (my next move) would be to go to a club that is fighting for titles, with the certainty of progressing and who can give me the support to integrate into the team,” he said.
Despite the presence of three-time Champions League winner Carlo Ancelotti on the Goodison Park touchline, Everton look a million miles away from ending a trophy drought which goes back to 1995.
And if it’s silverware Gabriel wants, where better than Real Madrid? AS suggests that the rising star of South American football could become the latest in a series of talented young Brazilians on his way to the Santiago Bernabau.
Let’s just hope there are no Everton fans who were planning to get Gabriel’s name on the back of their new shirt.
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