Sky Sports exclusive: Lille president Gerard Lopez speaks to Alan Myers about Everton target Gabriel Magalhaes, the club's summer transfer strategy, and the impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Lille president Gerard Lopez believes Gabriel Magalhaes is on track to join a "really big club" amid interest from Everton. Carlo Ancelotti's side remain one of the favourites to land Lille's young Brazilian centre-back, who has featured in the Champions League, playing twice against Chelsea in this season's group stages.
Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports , Lopez said: "It's true that he would like to go and try something else out. We haven't taken that decision yet, but he's received a number of offers. I feel he's closer to one club than others, but nothing's done yet so we'll see. The mechanism I have in place, and we saw that work so well with Nico [Nicolas Pepe], is that I have a certain price in mind for a player, and at the end of the day it's the player's choice to go and play where he wants to play - that's the respect that I have for them.
His statistics, which aren't well covered outside of France, shows that his percentage for winning duels is pretty unheard of in a league that's extremely physical. I'm certain he's on his way to the Brazilian national team at some point. Everton make offer for Lille's Magalhaes. Everton must strengthen before considering Grealish.
But we're not in a hurry and we're not playing right now. The player isn't on the pitch. The club were in the process of securing potential deals before the coronavirus outbreak - and Lopez was asked how the pandemic has impacted upon any incomings and outgoings. He added: "It wouldn't have happened until the opening of the summer transfer window, but we've seen activity - a lot of activity as a matter of fact. Somebody asked me if I saw there being a decrease in value [of players] Gabriel started his career at Avai, a side who currently play in the second tier of Brazilian football.
Gabriel took his time to cement himself in the side, not starting a Ligue 1 game until February But he has not looked back since; forging a relatively successful partnership with former Southampton player Jose Fonte at centre-back. Gabriel has continued his ascent this season, with a string of impressive performances both domestically and in the Champions League.
