Pepe cited as Lille chief confirms Arsenal, Everton target is leaving

Gabriel Magalhaes Moussa Dembele

The president of Lille has revealed that Arsenal and Everton target Gabriel Magalhaes is leaving the Ligue 1 club this summer.

Gabriel has become one of the most in demand defenders in Europe thanks to his performances over the past season for Lille.

The Brazilian centre-back is on the radar of several clubs – including Premier League trio Arsenal, Everton and Manchester United.

In fact, Everton have even had a bid rejected for the defender. Lille’s reason for turning it down was because they have a “gentlemen’s agreement” to sell him to Napoli.

That deal hinges on the Serie A side selling Kalidou Koulibaly – in turn a target for Manchester City and United.

However, even if he doesn’t end up at Napoli – even though that is the expected outcome – Gabriel will still be on the move.

Lille president Gerard Lopez has confirmed to BBC Sport that they are using the same selling tactics for Gabriel as they did for current Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe and striker Victor Osimhen, who has also just moved to Napoli.

“Gabriel is young, extremely powerful, currently right now probably one of the two most dominant central defenders in the French league,” Lopez  said.

“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.”

Gabriel Magalhaes, Neymar TEAMtalk

GABRIEL ‘WILL SUCCEED WHEREVER HE GOES’

Lopez has also confirmed that Lille will help Gabriel when choosing where to take the next step. Napoli are the favourites, but recent reports suggested the tracks were “still alive” for Arsenal and Manchester United.

“There’s a lot of competition,” Lopez confirmed. “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.”