CHELSEA are closing in on £30million-rated Lille defender Gabriel Magalhaes, according to reports.
The much-coveted 22-year-old has also drawn attention from Arsenal and Everton, but the Blues appear to be “far ahead” in the race to secure his signature.
According to Eurosport reporter Manu Lonjon, the move is “almost complete.”
The Brazilian youth international has impressed for the Ligue 1 side this season, making 24 appearances in the French top flight with his side sitting fourth in the table.
Gabriel was also an ever-present in Lille’s Champions League campaign, twice featuring against Chelsea – including at Stamford Bridge in December.
A strong imposing defender, who is also adept at playing out from the back, Gabriel’s improvement this season has drawn admiring glances from across Europe.
The Gunners have been interested for a number of months now, with a fee of £30million expected to be required to prise him from Lille.
But Everton were recently thought to have moved ahead in the race for his signature.
Chelsea however, under the guidance of director Marina Granovskaia, are adept at getting deals over the line ahead of league rivals.
Boss Frank Lampard has this season flitted between various combinations featuring two of Antonio Rudiger, Kurt Zouma, Fikayo Tomori and Andreas Christensen.
But having conceded the most goals of any team in the Premier League’s top seven, the 41-year-old will be keen to shore up his side’s defence for next season.
Gabriel would appear to fit the mould perfectly, as a young, talented player that is ever-improving and wants to learn.
