Report suggests Real Madrid could leave Everton with familiar Gabriel transfer sting

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Everton’s continued pursuit of Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes has hit another potential snag, with Real Madrid now keen on the Brazilian talent. 

As reported by Diario AS, Zinedine Zidane would welcome a move for the Lille defender should the club’s number one target Dayot Upamaceno prove unattainable. The report claims that Gabriel is currently available for €20 million (£18m), quite a considerable amount cheaper than the price Everton are reportedly set to pay for his services. 

The Lille defender was, according to reports this side of the Channel, all set to join Everton in the summer. As reported by The Guardian, Everton expected to make the centre-back Carlo Ancelotti’s first signing, with the 22-year-old set to arrive for a £30 million fee. 

Since those reports did the rounds there has been nothing official from Everton or Lille regarding Gabriel and other teams, such as Chelsea and Napoli, have been mentioned as snooping around the Brazilian star. 

Real Madrid’s presence is far more alarming and it seems a mirror image to the scenario that saw Everton previously miss out on another talented Brazilian. 

As reported by UOL in September 2018, Everton were keen on signing Eder Militao and were ready to track him following his switch to Porto from Sao Paulo. 

Unfortunately, he soon caught the eye of Real Madrid who paid a reported (The Guardian) £43.5 million to bring the defender to the Bernabeu. 

Now it seems Everton could again end up missing out to Real Madrid and just as Gabriel’s price-tag appears to be dropping.