Tottenham Hotspur made a late approach to sign Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes but, according to FootMercato, the Brazilian has agreed a £20 million move to Napoli instead.
If Spurs were interested in one of the hottest young centre-backs in Europe, then why on earth they left it until the 11th hour to make their interest known will have the north London faithful scratching their head in disbelief.
It is not secret, after all, that Tottenham are crying out for defensive reinforcements.
Jan Vertonghen will be a free agent at the end of the season while Toby Alderweireld looks like a shadow of a man who was arguably the Premier League’s best during the heady days of Mauricio Pochettino.
And Gabriel, who has been labelled ‘one of the top five central defenders in Europe’ by Lille president Gerard Lopez, felt like the perfect addition not just for the future but in the present too.
According to FootMeracto, Tottenham have made a last-gasp approach to lure Gabriel to the English capital.
But they, as well as Everton, have been left disappointed as the 22-year-old packs his bags and prepares for life in one of the most high-pressured footballing habitats on the continent.
Napoli have apparently agreed a £20 million deal, which will see Gabriel move to Southern Italy on a five-year, £35,000-a-week contract.
That is Tottenham back to square one, then.
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