Everton made the first bid for Gabriel Magalhaes this summer, the Lille defender’s agent has told ArenaNapoli while suggesting that the Brazilian would prefer a move to Italy instead.
A few months ago, it seemed only a matter of time before one of the finest young centre-backs in Europe was filling a Kurt Zouma-shaped void at the heart of the Toffees’ backline.
Everton were confident of wrapping up a £30 million deal for Gabriel, who had passed a medical back in March ahead of what felt like an inevitable switch to Goodison Park (Independent).
But then the global health crisis emerged, flipping the sporting world on it’s head and scuppering any hopes Carlo Ancelotti had of getting a deal over the line long before the transfer window had even opened.
The trail has grown cold since then, with Napoli moving into pole position for Gabriel’s signature.
Everton have even started to look at alternative options, it seems. Jean-Clair Todibo, Malang Sarr and more have been linked with a move to Merseyside in recent weeks.
And, speaking on Tuesday, the 22-year-old’s agent claims that an offer from Everton did indeed arrive but Gabriel appears to have his heart set on a move to one of Ancelotti’s former employers instead.
“Everton made a proposal to Lille at first, while Napoli made one later,” Fernando Garcia explains.
“Gabriel likes Napoli as a team and Gennaro Gattuso as a coach. We are waiting for Lille to let us know if they intends to continue (with negotiations regarding a summer exit).”
It remains to be seen why a deal to take Gabriel to Everton has seemingly gone by the wayside, though the man himself offered an intriguing insight into his thoughts back in May.
Speaking to FootSur7, the former Dinamo Zagreb loanee admitted that he wanted to join a club where he could compete for silverware on a regular basis.
And with Everton’s trophy drought extending to 25 years, you can see why he would perhaps have reservations about a move to Goodison.
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