Carlo Ancelotti, Everton’s manager, has prioritised bolstering his back four. He has lacked depth in central defence, with Mason Holgate, Michael Keane and Yerry Mina his only options, and Gabriel – a 22-year-old who was born in Sao Paolo – has been the Italian’s preferred option.
A number of Premier League clubs have been pursuing Gabriel, including Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal, but Marcel Brands, Everton’s Director of Football, has been working on a move for the past two months.
The club are confident they have done enough to persuade the former Brazil Under-20 international to move to Merseyside.
Gabriel has been an instrumental figure for Lille in their pursuit of a Champions League place. They were fourth before the season was postponed due to the outbreak of Coronavirus, with their progress built on the fact they have been difficult to breakdown – they had conceded 27 goals in 28 games, the third best tally in the division.
Ancelotti had been frustrated by a number of goals Everton had conceded before the break in play, with the 3-2 defeat at Arsenal a particularly disappointing afternoon.
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