Just In: Chelsea Target Gabriel Magalhães Set To Choose Between Arsenal And Manchester United This Week?

We have not heard about Lille defender Gabriel Magalhães since June when the likes of Chelsea, Everton and Napoli were seen as the main candidates for his signature.

Fast forward two months and both Arsenal and Manchester United have seemingly overtaken the aforementioned clubs in the chase for the 22-year-old centre-back.

So it while it looks like Gabriel has long dropped off our radar, his saga is still going on. Club president Gerard Lopez expects him to make a decision soon, however, choosing a team and getting his club some much-needed income.

“I know he is going to make a decision early [this] week.

“We clearly told him what our expectations were, we spoke to a number of clubs, our expectations were met by a number of clubs and we have given him the time to decide.

“It is going to be entirely his decision. We tend to try and steer our players in certain directions, but at the end of the day it’s the player’s decision.

“He is a super guy and a great football player and he wants to play, there has been a lot of interest but we have clearly decided to close the door to further clubs at this stage and let him choose.”

-Gerard Lopez; source: Sky Sports via Evening Standard

For a while, it sure seemed like Gabriel was the name Chelsea had in mind when it came to shoring up a defence in need of upgrades.

And perhaps it might still be the case that we get a surprise here. You never know in football! Hope dies last, right?