Report: Everton chasing £25m-rated centre back
One of the biggest voids in this Everton squad – and it’s a gaping one – is the lack of strength in depth at the heart of the defence.
The Toffees have soldiered on though this season with just three senior centre backs: Mason Holgate, Yerry Mina and Michael Keane.
The massive development of Holgate and the continued improvement of Mina has meant that it’s not really been too much of a problem.
However, there’s always that nagging voice in the back of your head saying ‘one injury and this whole house of cards could collapse’.
Still, it seems that the Toffees are determined to add to their centre back ranks come the summer.
The Times reported on Monday that the club have made a number of scouting trips to watch Lille centre half Gabriel.
Leicester City and Arsenal are also tracking the 22-year-old, who is expected to be allowed to leave at the end of the campaign. He’s rated at around £25million.
Meanwhile, director of football Marcel Brands met owner Farhad Moshiri last week to zero in on recruitment plans.
Is Gabriel what Everton need?
£25million isn’t very much money in today’s market, and so if the club’s scouts are convinced about Gabriel then it would appear to be a good deal.
He’s having a very solid season, averaging 1.6 tackles, 1.2 interceptions and 3.5 clearances, on his way to an average WhoScored rating of 6.82.
At 22 years of age, he’s only going to get better, as well. Gabriel and Holgate could be a centre back partnership for the next decade.
Obviously there will be competition for his signature, but if the Toffees can get a deal done then it would be a fantastic signing.
In other Everton news, Gary Neville has hit back at a Blues legend in a furious Twitter debate.