Lopez has raved about the 22-year-old, and has stated that Lille have already told him that he will leave this summer if the club get the right offers.
According to a report in UOL this month, Arsenal and Everton are interested in signing the Brazilian defender, with the Gunners and the Toffees both having made contact regarding a summer move.
The Express has claimed that Lille value the 22-year-old at £25 million, with Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers among the clubs interested in him.
Lopez told BBC Sport: “Gabriel is young, extremely powerful, currently right now probably one of the two most dominant central defenders in the French league.
“The way we work is very simple. We explain to him and his environment, his agent, what we are looking for, and once we get those offers the choice is his, like we did with Nico [Pepe] and Victor [Oshimen].
“We are there now, so we told him: ‘Eventually you have to make a decision but we’re not pressing you.’ I think he will make it this week, or next week at the latest. He is leaving, we’ve given the OK for that.
“There’s a lot of competition. He’s a young player so he’s got to make sure he makes the right decision. We help him out a little bit so we tell him: ‘We think this might be the right manager or club for you.’ He’s got so much talent, he will succeed wherever he goes.”
Boost for Arsenal and Everton?
Lopez’s comments on Gabriel is a boost for Arsenal and Everton in their reported quest to sign the young Brazilian.
Gabriel is a very talented young player who would make the Gunners or the Toffees stronger and better at the back.
It is clear that Lille are prepared to cash in on the Brazilian, but the Ligue 1 club have to be made the right offer.
Gabriel could be a star at Arsenal or Everton for years to come, and if £25 million is what it takes to sign him, then the Gunners and the Toffees should seriously consider paying it.
According to WhoScored, the 22-year-old scored one goal in 24 Ligue 1 matches, and played six times in the Champions League for Lille in 2019-20.
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