According to Eurosport (h/t Daily Mail), Chelsea have left Premier League rivals Arsenal and Everton behind in the race to sign Lille star Gabriel Magalhaes.
Gabriel is only 22 and could prove to be a long-term solution at the heart of our defence. He has made 52 appearances for Lille and has grown into an important player at the Stade Pierre Mauroy.
The Blues have had the first-hand experience of seeing the player in action. We faced him twice in the group stages of the Champions League this season.
Although Lille lost both matches, Gabriel showcased enough ability to convince Blues boss Frank Lampard to make a move.
Gabriel will cost us around £30million. According to the report, the Blues are willing to part with the cash and have already made progress in the deal.
Lampard has tried out different combinations for his back four this season. It appears as if he prefers to use Kurt Zouma and Antonio Rudiger as his preferred duo.
The lack of defensive solidity has been a constant source of irritation this season. We have conceded 39 goals so far in the league and have kept just six clean sheets, one more than bottom-placed Norwich City.
A versatile player, Gabriel is also capable of playing at left-back and defensive midfield. The player’s contract at Lille runs until 2023. Standing over 6 feet tall, he is a towering presence at the back.
Magalhaes is one of a string of young stars emerging from Lille’s squad under the stewardship of sporting director Luis Campos and head coach Christophe Galtier. The likes of Victor Osimhen and Boubakary Soumare are also rising stars at Lille.
A left-footed defender, he is capable of playing from the back. Only Brazilian compatriot Thiago Silva of PSG has completed more long passes than Gabriel this season in Ligue 1.
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