The Athletic’s Greg O’Keeffe has been discussing the ongoing transfer link between Everton and LOSC Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes.
For several months now, the Toffees’ interest in signing the 22-year-old Brazilian defender from his Ligue 1 club has been touted (via The Guardian).
However, despite the Merseyside club being ‘convinced’ that Magalhaes would be moving to Goodison Park, interest from Napoli, Arsenal and Manchester United has arisen (per The Independent).
So, in the latest episode of the All Together Now podcast, O’Keeffe discussed the supposed interest in the Brazilian from other clubs.
He said: “Look, if [the transfer link with Pierre-Emile] Hojbjerg had got out or hadn’t got out, the reality is that he wanted to go to Tottenham.
“So, I’m not saying that’s why that deal hasn’t happened, but if you look at the Magalhaes [transfer link], that looks like it might be in the balance, but then other people are understandably wondering how realistic, for example, Arsenal’s interest is, or is it Lille and the agent now trying to drive a bit of extra money out of Everton? Because, of course, Lille are going to need the money to do business themselves.
“French football was in a bit of a mess at the end of the season after they called the season early, wasn’t it? So, I don’t think it’s naive to try and control what you can control.”
TIF Thoughts…
Seemingly, The Athletic reporter believes that there is a chance that some of the other supposed interest in Magalhaes could have been fabricated by Lille or the player’s agent in order to try and get more money out of the Toffees.
Do you think Everton will be successful in their pursuit of Gabriel Magalhaes?
No, he'll go elsewhere
Yes, I think it'll happen
However, as stated by The Independent, the future of the defender is still firmly up in the air, so, it remains to be seen where he will end up this summer.